Durban - The Minority Front’s new National Executive Committee (NEC) is considering ousting Patrick Pillay from the eThekwini Municipality’s executive committee (Exco).
On Tuesday, party insiders confirmed the plot against Pillay. He is tipped to be replaced by the party’s general secretary, Ismail Cassimjee.
Newly elected leader, Roy Bhoola, said a decision had been taken by the party’s eThekwini caucus to remove Pillay from Exco.
But, a final decision had not been taken by the NEC regarding Pillay’s political future, Bhoola said.
He said Pillay’s performance would be evaluated by the NEC and whether he (Pillay) should continue to represent the party on Exco.
“Nothing has been finalised or implemented. I have to check the legitimacy of such a process.”
Pillay has been the party’s only representative on exco since 2008 and was a close ally of the late Amichand Rajbansi.
He said he was unfazed by the “anarchy” to remove him from his position and vowed to fight back. “I’m not concerned about my political future. My work speaks for itself,” he said.
Having served the party for 17 years, Pillay said he was one of the longest serving members, who had earned his stripes. He said he was given his Exco seat on merit.
Bhoola refused to be drawn in on Pillay’s performance.
But, he said he was disturbed to find out that Pillay had failed to attend Tuesday’s exco meeting. “I was unaware that he did not attend the meeting. I was not informed as the party leader.”
Pillay said he had informed the “legitimate” leader, Sha-meen Thakur-Rajbansi about his absenteeism.
A fuming Thakur-Rajbansi described Bhoola as a lame duck leader who was on a witch-hunt.
Defending Pillay, she said she was extremely pleased with his performance, adding that he would remain their representative at exco.
Attempts to contact Cassimjee were unsuccessful.
The MF has been rocked by division since its former leader and founder Amichand Rajbansi’s death late last year. - Daily News