WHILE political parties were finalising their lists of candidate councillors to be submitted to the Independent Electoral Commission, ward 96 in Umbumbulu, south of Durban was on fire.
The eThekwini Municipality’s office at Sizakala Community Centre and a passing fuel tanker were set alight by angry residents yesterday.
The people took to the streets claiming the ANC leadership in eThekwini region have corruptly and secretly nominated a candidate they do not want. They said current councillor Godfrey Maphumulo was the only person who had brought change and development to their area.
A resident told Daily Sun: “We have no intention of substituting Maphumulo with anyone else.
“In February we nominated him for a second term as our councillor.
“We later heard that another candidate has been nominated privately.
“When we complained to the ANC’s regional leaders, they organised another meeting over the weekend in a neighbouring ward. Maphumulo was not invited, and Lihle Makhanya was imposed on us again as a candidate.
“Since the beginning of this week he has been campaigning at schools, telling our kids to urge us to vote for him.
“He even wants to take over Maphumulo’s office before the election.
“We do not want him. He should be thankful to Maphumulo for getting him a job at the municipality, instead of stabbing him in the back.”
Police spokesman Major Thulani Zwane said a case of malicious damage to property had been opened at Umbumbulu Police Station for investigation. No arrests have been made.
Municipal spokesman Thulani Mbatha said he was not aware of the burning of the office.
ANC regional spokesman Bheki Ntuli was busy in a meeting and could not speak to Daily Sun.
