Durban - The DA has accused the ANC of rewarding a former KwaZulu-Natal mayor, who two months ago caused a stir with homophobic comments.
Reverend James Mthethwa was on Tuesday appointed KZN’s permanent delegate to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), to take up a position previously occupied by former MP Welile Zondi.
This came after Zondi was moved from the NCOP to the KZN legislature in the place previously occupied by Nonhle Mkhulise, who is now deputy mayor of uThungulu District Municipality.
It was reported in August that Mthethwa had said homosexual men were the cause of HIV spreading in Dundee and Greytown. His comments were made at the launch of a community health programme in Dundee, where he reportedly called for a clampdown on homosexuality, and proposed a door-to-door campaign to educate people against homosexuality.
When the comments grabbed headlines, the national ANC asked Mthethwa to withdraw any statements that could be construed as “gay bashing” or discriminatory.
He subsequently resigned from his mayoral position amid speculation that he had been forced to step down.
However, at the legislature sitting in Pietermaritzburg on Tuesday, the ANC caucus forwarded Mthethwa’s name to serve on the NCOP.
During a debate, the DA made a declaration opposing his new appointment, saying he was being rewarded with redeployment.
“By simply redeploying Mthethwa, the ANC has shown that they do not take the humans rights of every South African seriously, and that they put their comrades above the denunciation of violence and hatred towards members of our society,” DA MP Mergan Chetty said.
Sibongiseni Khumalo, of the Durban Gay and Lesbian Community Health Centre, said they hoped Mthethwa would serve the people in his new role with equality and be guided by the constitution.
Nontembeko Boyce, ANC deputy chief whip at KZN legislature, said the ANC recognised Mthethwa as the leader he is and the role he played in building communities.
Daily News