Durban - The IFP has finally got its eThekwini executive council seat, wrestling control from the beleaguered MF, but is yet to announce the candidate who would take it.
Council speaker Logie Naidoo said on Sunday he had announced at Friday’s executive committee sitting that the composition of membership had changed, with the MF losing a seat, held by Patrick Pillay, to the IFP.
“At that meeting I approached the IFP requesting a name for their representative, but they didn’t have a name. In the next council meeting I hope to announce the name, once I get it from the party,” Naidoo said. “Patrick Pillay will not be invited to that meeting.”
The seat had been occupied by Pillay, even though his party had lost two wards during by-elections last month.
The Mercury reported that Pillay was refusing to vacate the seat, although he no longer had the mandate to be on the committee. Pillay was expected to vacate the seat after the July 2 by-elections, when the MF lost two wards in Phoenix and Chatsworth to the DA.
The defections had given the IFP more councillors, and the party became eligible for a seat on the executive committee.
At the time, Pillay reportedly said he would wait for the council to decide his fate.
As an executive committee member, Pillay was reportedly paid R838 000 annually. But, once he returns to being a normal councillor, his package will drop to R430 000.
Pillay said on Sunday this was not the end of his party, and that he would bounce back.
“During my time at the executive committee I represented our people with diligence.”
IFP provincial spokesman Blessed Gwala said the party was in the process of identifying a representative.
Daily News