What was poised to be a highly anticipated political showdown between the African National Congress (ANC) and the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) at Mpembeni in Richards Bay took an unexpected turn, leaving the IFP to seize the spotlight. The sudden withdrawal of the ANC transformed the scene into a one-party affair, allowing the IFP to proceed with its Women’s Day rally unhindered. This unexpected twist positions the IFP in a prime position to secure the ward, setting the stage for crucial by-elections in the Mpembeni area.
Located within ward 13 of the IFP-led City of Umhlathuze, encompassing the Richards Bay-Empangeni region in northern KwaZulu-Natal, the Mpembeni area is bracing for significant by-elections, the exact date of which is yet to be determined by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). These by-elections were necessitated by the recent resignation of Lindokuhle Ndlovu, a youthful ANC councillor who survived an assassination attempt.
The outcome of these by-elections holds substantial implications. If the ANC retains the ward, it will bolster its ambitions of regaining control over the prosperous municipality it lost in November 2021. However, if the IFP clinches the ward, it will further tighten its grip on the municipality, potentially requiring only the support of the Democratic Alliance (DA) to maintain power. This scenario could spell the end for smaller parties like the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP), which currently hold influence through a coalition pact formed after the ANC’s removal from power.
The race for victory in the upcoming by-elections gained momentum when the IFP announced its intention to host a rally in the Mpembeni area. The rally featured addresses by Thami Ntuli, IFP’s KwaZulu-Natal chairperson, and Xolani Ngwezi, the IFP district leader. In response, the ANC swiftly announced its own community engagement event in the same area, scheduled to feature Bheki Mtolo, the provincial secretary. The stage seemed set for a head-to-head contest to attract the largest crowd of supporters.
However, the political landscape shifted abruptly when the ANC withdrew from the engagement, informing its supporters that a new date would be communicated. In a message to its members, the branch leadership conveyed, “Comrades, the office of the provincial secretary (Mtolo) informed me this morning that today’s programme has been shelved, and new arrangements would be communicated.” Leaked voice notes from the branch’s WhatsApp group indicated concerns about seeking proper permission from the area’s Induna (headman) and the potential for the IFP to outshine them with its event.
Undeterred by the ANC’s withdrawal, the IFP proceeded with its rally, with Thami Ntuli addressing supporters and emphasizing the party’s proven track record of clean governance and effective service delivery. As the stage is set for the upcoming by-elections, all eyes are now on Mpembeni to witness the unfolding political dynamics and the future direction of the municipality’s leadership.
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