KZN political poison plot thickens

Former KZN Premier Senzo Mchunu resigned on May 23. File picture: Sandile Ndlovu

Former KZN Premier Senzo Mchunu resigned on May 23. File picture: Sandile Ndlovu

Published Feb 9, 2015

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Durban - Claims that there has been an attempt to kill Premier Senzo Mchunu by poisoning his food have further highlighted divisions in the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal.

ANC members in the province have expressed doubts about the validity of the allegations, with one of them saying this could be intended to portray Mchunu as a victim of internal factions so as to attract sympathetic support for him.

The Sunday Times published a story on Sunday about an intelligence report which revealed that in October last year an employee in the premier’s office poisoned food prepared for Mchunu.

The report said Mchunu dodged death after being tipped off by a staff member who had been assigned to take the food to him.

Mchunu’s spokesman Sibusiso Magwaza said the premier declined to comment on the allegations.

“He has not read the story himself because he is busy with the PEC (provincial executive committee) lekgotla. Since you said this story emanates from the intelligence report, I think the intelligence department may be able to assist you,” said Magwaza.

The report said the employee who had tried to poison Mchunu had since been transferred to the provincial Department of Co-operative Government and Traditional Affairs.

 

Another ANC insider asked why the person who tried to kill Mchunu was transferred to another department instead of being arrested.

It had been reported that Mchunu, the provincial chairman of the ANC, was facing a challenge from provincial secretary Sihle Zikalala for the position of provincial chairman, and ultimately as premier.

Another said the eThekwini region was the source of “dangerous politics” in KZN.

It is alleged that for Zikalala to secure the position, his backer, ANC eThekwini regional treasurer Zandile Gumede, must become the chairwoman of the region.

Gumede is standing against Mchunu’s backer, eThekwini mayor James Nxumalo, for the position.

The situation reached a new low last week when Zikalala was heckled and told to sit down at the Durban City Hall during a provincial executive committee meeting with the 12 branches which had been disqualified from participating in the regional conference because their meetings had not been held correctly.

 

Sources said if Gumede were to win the region it would help Zikalala win KZN and they could both help ANC treasurer-general Zweli Mkhize become the deputy president when President Jacob Zuma’s term came to an end.

“If Nxumalo wins it would help Senzo to keep his position. This would in turn help Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma to become deputy president. Senzo’s supporters will back Gwede Mantashe to deputise Ramaphosa if Dlamini Zuma is not available for the position,” he said.

Zikalala was not available for comment on Sunday.

The Mercury

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