THE IFP is preparing to replace Zululand mayor Thulasizwe Buthelezi.
A senior party official said the mayor’s days were numbered and the party had already started the process to replace him.
He said the recent removal of speaker Sbu Nkwanyana was not a demotion.
He said the party was preparing him to take over as mayor.
Nkwanyana is expected to be replaced by party chief whip Bheki Mncwango when the council sits today.
The source said Nkwanyana will take over as new party chief whip in the executive council, and then as mayor before April.
“There are two things that could happen to the mayor.
“Either the party will fire him because of his alleged links to a water supply tender, or he’ll be arrested by the Hawks.”
Unconfirmed rumours that the mayor would be arrested started doing the rounds last year, and there were reports that the Hawks had taken him in for questioning regarding the death of IFP councillor Sibuyiselo Dlamini, who was gunned down in May last year.
The mayor denied these rumours last year.
Nkwanyana said the new speaker was expected to be elected today, but denied being prepared to take over as mayor.
Buthelezi was not aware the party planned to fire him.
