Makhosi Khoza has resigned as the ANC’s chief whip in the provincial legislature to take up a senior position in the private sector.
ANC provincial secretary Sihle Zikalala on Wednesday confirmed that Khoza had vacated her post, but said she would remain a member of the party’s provincial executive committee and provincial working committees.
Zikalala said that after consultation with the ANC leadership it was agreed that because of her skills in particular, she was “much needed” in the private sector.
Although Zikalala would not say who would take her seat in the legislature, the names of former Durban mayor Obed Mlaba and eThekwini exco councillor Nigel Gumede, who was named in the Manase report, have been bandied about.
Zikalala said that the new deployee would not take over as chief whip.
Khoza also has a PhD in administration, specialising in the application of quality management in the municipal environment.
She has been at the centre of several controversies.
In November, she locked horns with the Embo community, who moved on to her 6 000ha Hillcrest property.
At the time, the residents said they were not on Khoza’s land but on property given to them by Durban doctor Hymie Herr in 1998. The matter was taken to the high court and Khoza secured an interim interdict preventing people from trespassing and from threatening her.
In her affidavit, Khoza said that the land was to be given to the Khabazela High School in Embo.
She believed that the invasion was related to the position of city municipal manager for which she had been shortlisted, but which went to Sibusiso Sithole. She withdrew her application after alleged death threats.
Khoza was also accused by IFP leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi of plotting his downfall in August. He said he had evidence that she attended a clandestine meeting with IFP members. Khoza said she was at an ANC meeting at which neither Buthelezi nor the IFP featured in discussions.
Khoza could not be reached for comment.
The Mercury