Opposition parties in the KwaDukuza local municipality on the KwaZulu-Natal north coast have welcomed the ANC’s decision to recall mayor Muzi Ngidi and his deputy Njabulo Cele after a scandal-riddled eight months in office.
The decision was announced by the party’s provincial task team (PTT) coordinator in KwaZulu-Natal, Mike Mabuyakhulu, on Wednesday.
Their axing follows a number of questionable financial decisions since they assumed office in December 2024, when the ANC removed former mayor Lindile Nhaca in a vote of no confidence. The decisions include spending huge amounts of money on hiring vehicles and Ngidi’s personal security.
Mabuyakhulu said it was those well-publicised scandals that prompted the party to investigate the two, ultimately leading to their recall.
“This is a decision we’ve taken after doing the investigation following media statements doing rounds in the public domain. The ANC reached a decision that we’ve asked our two comrades, the mayor of KwaDukuza and the deputy mayor, to tender their resignations from those positions,” he said.
We know the total cost of the hiring of the car ... but they are not liable for the whole period, only the portion they were sworn in to the day the council took a resolution
— ANC provincial task team
Mabuyakhulu said both Ngidi and Cele have accepted the decision and it has also been communicated to its caucus.
The PTT added the two would be liable to pay an undisclosed portion of the money that the municipality paid for Ngidi's vehicle hire during his tenure.
“We know the total cost of the hiring of the car ... but they are not liable for the whole period, only the portion they were sworn in to the day the council took a resolution.”
Mabuyakhulu maintained, however, the two would continue in the position until their respective replacements are elected.
The party said the decision was taken in the best interest of the residents of KwaDukuza and it is in line with the party’s rebuilding process that prompted the establishment of the PTT.
“The ANC is a serious organisation that has committed itself to renewal and rebuilding. We’ve said we will act in the best interests of our people and our decisions are informed by nothing else but that. Anyone has the right to interpret that decision in a way they deem fit, but we’re very clear: we’re consistent in the message we’re putting our people first.”
He said the ANC will now start discussions with their coalition partners on the processes to follow.
The move to recall the two has been welcomed by opposition parties in the KwaDukuza council.
DA caucus leader Privi Makhan said the imminent removal of the pair was long overdue as their tenure was marked by “scandal, arrogance, and a blatant disregard” for the people they were elected to serve.
She said service delivery had collapsed and basic municipal functions had deteriorated under Ngidi’s leadership, who instead focused on supporting events and projects designed to boost his personal image.
“From day one, Ngidi made it clear he had no intention of being a team player. His leadership was driven by a desire to shine alone, even if it meant dragging the municipality into dysfunction. He routinely disrespected council processes, sidelined those elected to deputise him and attempted to centralise power through a toxic patronage network,” she said.
“Most damning were his roles in championing questionable financial decisions, the vehicle hire scandal, and his glaring absence when the people needed bold and ethical leadership the most. His short-lived legacy will be one of handshakes and his attempts to position himself as an executive mayor through his ongoing attempts to take unilateral decisions, to the detriment of council.”
The people of KwaDukuza deserve leaders that serve the public, not their own egos through luxury brands and bloated security and media detail
— Privi Makhan, DA caucus leader
“The people of KwaDukuza deserve leaders that serve the public, not their own egos through luxury brands and bloated security and media detail.”
She said this was further evidence of the impact of the ANC’s internal factionalism on the municipality, a sentiment supported by ActionSA caucus leader Nel Sewraj.
“This development raises serious concerns about the ANC’s destructive factional politics. Since the start of the 2021 council term, two mayors have been recalled under troubling circumstances, creating instability and reputational damage in a municipality that has the capacity to deliver quality services.”
Sewraj said their removal from office was a necessary step to restore the integrity of the municipality.
“Leadership is not a privilege, it is a duty upheld through ethical conduct and serving the community above self-interest. Sadly, these values were evidently ignored by the outgoing leaders.”
Sewraj also welcomed reports Ngidi and Cele had been ordered to pay back a portion of the unauthorised funds used to hire their vehicles.
He said this highlighted the need for stronger oversight and ethical governance to prevent similar occurrences in future.
“KwaDukuza deserves leadership committed to good governance, financial discipline and service excellence, not individuals who pursue vanity projects and personal interests at the expense of public trust.”
The EFF said this marked a “small but significant victory” for the residents of KwaDukuza in the fight against systemic rot and decay.
“For far too long, the people of KwaDukuza have suffered under the weight of poor service delivery, political gatekeeping and rampant looting of municipal resources. Under the leadership of Mr Ngidi and Mr Cele, the municipality has been marred by irregular tenders, internal power battles and growing evidence of unethical conduct.”
“These leaders have placed self-interest and factional politics above the interests of the people and their removal should serve as a warning to all those in positions of power that impunity will no longer be tolerated.”
The party called on the provincial government to dissolve the leadership of the municipality and institute a forensic investigation.
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