Johannesburg – The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) has changed mayors in the uMhlathuze Local Municipality.
This comes after Dr Nkonzoyakhe Dando, who was elected mayor in the council on 23 November, resigned on Wednesday.
Party constituency head in uMhlathuze Xolani Ngwezi has now taken over the position of mayor.
The IFP won uMhlathuze from the African National Congress (ANC) last month through a coalition with other parties.
Ngwezi, who is now taking over, was not on the PR list when the mayor was elected.
“Honourable Xolani Ngwezi was approved as a mayor as his name was not on the PR list and because the IEC’s rules do not allow for changes during the period of constituting municipal councils. Councillor Nkonzoyakhe Donda was approved as caretaker mayor,” said party spokesperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa.
The party said Dando had been informed of this decision before he was elected mayor.
The IFP has welcomed the appointment of Ngwezi to the post, saying he was no stranger to local government.
The party is expected to host a government political leadership workshop on Thursday.
