Durban - A Fed-up provincial and eThekwini caucus leader of the DA, Zwakele Mncwango, is tired of being “labelled with names and insults”, and is taking the matter up with the SA Human Rights Commission.
Mncwango has been told by councillors at executive committee meetings that he is “too white” and “a born-again Christian”, and that he needs “a cleansing ceremony”.
Mncwango said he felt that these cheap shots were preventing him from doing his job and that government officials “hid” behind culture when they failed to deliver results.
“There is this culture of emotional blackmail when they want to use culture to be corrupt, channelling money via many activities that relate to culture, and expect everyone to be silent about it,” he said.
“When the ANC councillors started throwing these insults at me I thought they were just trying to keep me down, but I have realised that these personal attacks were meant to disrupt meetings. They insult me so that we would end up moving away from holding them accountable.”
He said even at provincial level, when he questioned King Goodwill Zwelithini’s expenditure and accountability, KwaZulu-Natal Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs spokesman Lennox Mabaso said he was “culturally exiled”.
He said he had tried working through internal structures, including speaking to the mayor, James Nxumalo.
“I told the mayor to try to stop this nonsense, but unfortunately it became clear he is not keen to deal with the matter.”
Mncwango said he had scheduled a meeting with his legal team for Friday.
Human Rights Commission spokesman Isaac Mangena said Mncwango had not made any submission to the commission.
“We welcome anyone who feels their rights have been violated to approach the Human Rights Commission to seek redress,” Mangena said.
Council Speaker Logie Naidoo said:
“The reason people lambaste him is the comments he makes. It doesn’t come out of the blue.”
Naidoo said Mncwango had touched sensitive subjects when he had made negative comments about King Goodwill Zwelithini and culture.
“When you are in the exco meetings you are in a boxing ring, you give the punches and you must accept the punches. He has, before, said the ANC is African National Corruption; he gave a blow and he must also accept one coming to his face.”
Councillors ridicule Mncwango
- July 28, 2015: Mncwango questions the R3.2 million funding of a three-day Zulu ‘maidens’ conference’ at eGcekeni Primary School, near Shongweni Dam, in August.
Remarks: ANC councillor Zandile Gumede: ‘Your behaviour does not reflect that of someone from rural Nongoma. You are behaving like a born-again Christian who has deserted his culture.’
NFP councillor Bongiwe Mtshali: ‘Mncwango, I think you have become too white. These people test virgins and save lives. They are never appreciated with a mere “thank you”.’
IFP councillor Mdu Nkosi: ‘This programme helps our girls remain pure. It helps them grow. If you think it is a waste of money, then I’m sorry. You are, indeed, white.’
- September 8, 2015: Mncwango says rule order 18, for special and urgent requests made to the city for funding, was abused when R7 000 per councillor was approved to cover accommodation and transport for nine councillors to the reed dance in Nongoma. He said the ceremony would continue without the councillors being there, and those interested should finance it themselves.
Remarks: ANC councillor Nigel Gumede: ‘Mncwango, you are an unfortunate man … you need a cleansing ceremony.’
ANC councillor Nondumiso Cele: ‘Please change. If your ancestors have turned their backs on you, sort out umsamu wakho (an ancestral altar set up in the home for communication and sacrifices), don’t make it our problem.’
The Mercury