ANC mayor, the Reverend James Mthethwa, of Umzinyathi district municipality, has resigned, claiming his party has other plans for him. His sudden resignation follows contentious comments he made last month about clamping down on homosexuality and that gay people spread Aids.Clad in a green suit, the towering clergyman was seen at the ANC provincial headquarters on Tuesday clutching an envelope addressed to KwaZulu-Natal ANC secretary Sihle Zikalala.Mthethwa made the comments at the launch of the Umzinyathi community health work training project in Dundee last month.Mthethwa initially denied making the comments, but the municipality still issued an apology.The municipality said the mayor apologised and retracted all statements to "those who were offended directly or indirectly".Mthethwa yesterday confirmed his resignation and claimed the ANC was "deploying him"."That's true I have resigned, but it has nothing to do with what you are asking me. The organisation said it needed me to use my skills elsewhere. I was never trained to be mayor, that's why I go anywhere the ANC deploys me, but they haven't said anything for now," he said.Zikalala denied reports that Mthethwa was forced to resign because of his homophobic remarks.But party insiders said the ANC had indeed ordered Mthethwa to quit as his sentiments flew in the face of the ruling party's constitution and ideology of a non-sexist organisation."The ANC does not even have the majority at Umzinyathi as it governs with the NFP. This is one of two districts where the ANC lacks political hegemony and his remarks, as much as they could be applauded by a conservative community like this, reflected badly," said a member of the Bhambatha regional executive.He said Mthethwa also refused to co-operate with the ANC following his ousting as party regional chairman last year."He has been reported several times to the PEC and the ANC finally decided to remove him. He didn't want to vacate his position," the member said.Mthethwa is likely to be replaced as district mayor by Msinga councillor Ntombi Ngubane, who also serves in the Umzinyathi district municipality.Mthethwa is reportedly headed for the National Council of Provinces...