The African National Congress’s (ANC’s) eThekwini Regional Committee on Tuesday said that it would wait for instructions from national structures on how it should approach the step-aside issue.

Addressing the media in Ohlange, ANC regional working committee member Musa Nciki said so far the region had followed all the approved processes in how to deal with the issue.

Two members who were recently appointed in the region, including former eThekwini Mayor Zandile Gumede, who was recently elected as chairperson, have had to step aside owing to pending court cases. 

Gumede and her co-accused are facing 2 786 charges relating to a 2017 Durban Solid Waste tender amounting to more than R320-million.

The Committee confirmed that Thembo Ntuli, would act as chair on behalf of Gumede.

The regional working committee members are Gumede, Nciki, Ntuli, Zoe Shabalala, Nkosenhle Madlala, Mpume Sithole, Monica Jama, Swiss Mkhize, Simphiwe Blose and Phili Mbatha-Ndlovu.

Unity

In an effort to build unity, the Committee reiterated its call to build unity in the ANC structures, end pre-conference groupings and work as one region.

“Unity is the foundation of the ANC. Without unity we will have no organization. Our task will be to unite the ANC and end pre-conference groupings and work as one region,”” the committee said.

Outlining the road to Provincial Conference, the Committee said it would be working with its structures in the lead-up to the Provincial Conference.

Its focus will be to see a balances structure that helps and works to rebuild the organization.

Following the dismal election performance during the local government elections, the Committee said the new leadership would have to be led by activists with the energy to win the province and also unite the movement.

“We want a leadership that will help us to rebuild the economy which has been affected by Covid-19 and the recent devastating floods. We want a leadership that will rekindle relations with alliance partners, religious organizations and Amakhosi, especially the Royal Household.”

The Committee added that it would engage will with other regions in order to lobby and engage so that it emerged as a united province.

Renewal

The Committee has adopted a clear programme of action which is informed by the conference Declaration.

The Committee said they would be working towards unity of the region and province towards 2024, and that they would be driving a serious membership recruitment drive and ending gatekeeping.

Political classes and induction will be run in line with renewal programme and it had vowed to help in rebuilding leagues and the MKMVA in order to deal with the welfare of the military veterans.

The Committee went on to convey its condolences to all those who were affected by the recent floods that hit KwaZulu-Natal.

They called for religious leaders to offer their support to the bereaved families in the province. 

They thanked all those who had extended a helping hand during the devastating floods that had claimed more than 400 lives and displaced many families.

The Committee commended Premier Sihle Zikalala and eThekwini Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda and their teams for being visible in the affected areas across the province. 

“Once again our municipal officials have outdone themselves, by working hard in rebuilding infrastructure especially in trying to restore water and electricity. Our roads and bridges are being fixed by our own workers.  Importantly, we would like to thank President Cyril Ramaphosa and his Cabinet for their dedication and for their speed in responding to this national disaster that left a trail of destruction,” the Committee said.

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma declared a National State of Disaster for a period of three months to assist those impacted by the heavy flooding in KwaZulu-Natal and parts of the Eastern Cape.