Durban - The newly appointed MEC for Arts, Culture, Sport and Recreation has made a stunning political comeback.
In 2000 Bongi Sithole-Moloi made headlines when she became the first woman to be appointed mayor of the uMgungundlovu district municipality.
But her fortunes turned when, 10 years later, her own party, the ANC, kicked her out in a vote of no confidence.
Central to her sacking were allegation s that she had channelled R1.5 million of taxpayers’ money into the account of Lucky Moloi, a man she later married.
He was a businessman and the former ANC secretary of the Inkosi Mbambatha region which incorporates Nqutu, Msinga, Umvoti (Greytown) and Endumeni (Dundee).
The allegations against the couple were never tested in court.
Sithole-Moloi found herself in the political wilderness for about a year until she was appointed as chairwoman of the royal household portfolio committee in the KZN legislature. It was a move that raised eyebrows from within the ruling party as well as opposition parties.
Her recent appointment to the provincial cabinet has resulted in her detractors being more vocal.
A source within the ANC, who asked not to be named, said Sithole-Moloi owed her position to the loyalty she had shown newly appointed ANC provincial chairman Sihle Zikalala.
Another source pointed out that Sithole-Moloi was previously close to former premier Senzo Mchunu but “somersaulted” when she was fired as mayor.
The source, who also did not want to be named, said: “She believed Mchunu didn’t do enough to save her career when she was sacked as mayor.”
One Pietermaritzburg based ANC leader said: “To be quite frank, I’m ashamed of being an ANC member nowadays. Our organisation has been reduced to a platform where some people use it for their own gains.”
He also asked not be named.
Sizwe Mchunu, the former provincial leader of the DA in KZN, expressed dismay at the appointment of Sithole-Moloi.
Mchunu, who remains a DA member of the legislature, viewed the appointment as an attempt by a faction of the ANC to settle political scores.
“She failed to run the uMngungundlovu municipality, to the point where the municipality couldn’t buy toilet paper. It is wrong to appoint people who are tainted by corruption. People should be appointed based on their track record and nothing else,” he said.
“Sithole-Moloi does not deserve to be representing government. Her appointment leaves much to be desired. But we will make sure we hold her accountable in her new position.”
Blessed Gwala, IFP national chairman and leader of the party in the KZN legislature said: “It’s not a surprise to us because it’s their (ANC) culture to reward corrupt individuals. So we are not surprised at all,” he said.
The ANC’s KZN spokesman, Mdumiseni Ntuli said: “Unfortunately the leadership of the ANC and the members are not angels.
“It is possible for us to make mistakes. But we cannot bar our members from taking positions because of allegations that were not proved,” he said.
Ntuli added: “We have absolute confidence in her and all our leaders who were appointed as MECs.”
Sithole-Moloi was not available for comment.
Her husband stood by her saying she was a seasoned social worker.
“Whether they question her abilities or not, that doesn’t change anything because those are just individuals and not the party,” he said.
Sithole-Moloi was sworn in as MEC on Tuesday with Sihle Zikalala (MEC for Economic Development), Mxolisi Kaunda (MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison) and Mthandeni Dlungwane (MEC for Education).
It has emerged the newly appointed acting Msunduzi municipal manager in Pietermaritzburg, Adolph Slindokuhle Hadebe, also known as Sizwe Hadebe, has a chequered past. It was reported this week he resigned from a senior position in a Gauteng municipality a few years ago after being suspended over alleged tender irregularities.
Sunday Tribune