Durban - EThekwini ANC leader and mayoral candidate Zandile Gumede fears there may be a hit out on her life, aimed at silencing her leadership in the region.
“I do live in fear and while I understand this comes with the high-profile position which I have been elected for, as a woman and as a human being, the killing of ANC members is very worrying and I would be lying if I said it does not bother me,” she said.
“Of course nobody likes to live in fear, but that will not detract me from the responsibility I have been given by those who chose me for this position.”
Gumede, who has a strong security detail, continued: “Our party has suffered a number of killings and many of those responsible are yet to be brought to book.
“We are also aware of moles within our ranks who have been talking to other parties and have tried to sow division within our ranks. We are monitoring them,” she told The Mercury.
Her fears come amid increasing political tension in the province which has turned comrade against comrade in the battle for political positioning.
Several ANC figures have been shot in recent weeks, including the party’s Edendale branch chairman, Nathi Hlongwa, and three others from the province’s Moses Mabhida region.
While the IEC has announced plans to increase security measures during the coming local elections in political “hot spots”, some party insiders fear this will do little to curb the volatile atmosphere in the party.
“This is about positioning, that’s the bottom line. Of course there are those who are capitalising on our divisions too, from other parties, but we suspect those who are behind the killings are mainly disgruntled party members,” said one source.
The source added that tension came to a head with the resignation of former provincial premier Senzo Mchunu.
“There is a sense that the old guard will be replaced and that is already happening at provincial level. We are next in eThekwini. Already mayor James Nxumalo has dropped to number 40 on the list,” added the party insider.
However, Gumede, who is said to have the support of the youth league in the province, has dismissed any suggestion of a “purge” of the old guard, and insists that the party works as a collective in its decision-making.
“The ANC is not about individuals. We are a collective and our supporters must respect that policy. As an organisation we act in the best interests of the party.
“Even myself, if tomorrow I am deployed to a lower position, I will respect that because it is the directive of the party. We cannot and must not make the ANC a party about self-interest, because then we will lose focus on who we are as the ANC and what we stand for,” added Gumede. She also dismissed suggestions by the DA that it was on the brink of seizing control of eThekwini.
“EThekwini will remain ANC, our support is strong and we are confident of a win in all metros,” said Gumede, who has been nominated by the ANC to be eThekwini mayor, and who earlier this year won the post of ANC regional chairwoman in fiercely contested elections which pitted her against Nxumalo.
Last week Gumede told The Mercury that it was the wish of the youth league, ANC structures and the people of eThekwini that she become mayor.
The Mercury