Durban - eThekwini mayor Mxolisi Kaunda’s days as the city’s first citizen are said to be numbered following the removal of Sihle Zikalala from the powerful position of KwaZulu-Natal ANC chairperson and his resignation as premier last week.
Zikalala had been involved in a four-way contest with businessman Sandile Zungu, Nomusa Dube-Ncube and Siboniso Duma for the chairperson position.
The contest turned into a two-way tie, with Zikalala losing heavily to Duma and also failing to make it as an additional member of the Provincial Executive Committee, a development which dwindled his political influence in the province.
Kaunda, a former Transport MEC, is also known to back former president Jacob Zuma and it has been suggested that his hold on city hall had been because of the former president’s influence.
But many have insisted that following Zikalala’s resignation last week, Kaunda has been left without any political protection.
Zikalala and all contenders from his slate lost heavily to the grouping known as the “Taliban” at the conference and speculation continues about their future in government.
“Obviously, it is a known fact that he (Kaunda) had been parachuted by the old leadership, but by boldly siding with it ahead of the conference, the man just placed himself in a vulnerable position.
“Right now he is just all on his own and he knows it,” said one ANC member from eThekwini council.
Another source with in-depth knowledge of internal ANC matters, said the defeat of Zikalala’s faction and his subsequent removal as KZN premier had dealt a death knell to Kaunda’s future as mayor.
“Now that the ANC has removed Zikalala, Kaunda is as good as gone. They are now coming for him and his departure is imminent.
“He made a grave mistake when he aligned himself with the faction that lost the conference,” said the source.
Several eThekwini ANC regional members also confirmed that there had been unhappiness over Kaunda’s handling of the multi-party coalition in the city, with many feeling that he was not in complete control of council matters.
The ANC narrowly clung to power in eThekwini following the party’s poor performance in last November’s local government elections and had to enter into a coalition agreement with smaller parties in order to remain in power.
Some members believe that under the coalition arrangement, the ANC has lost authority, with more attention going to and control exercised by deputy mayor Philani Mavundla.
“The feeling is that he has just failed to manage the dynamics in the council and the minorities (smaller parties) seem to be calling the shots more than it should be the case and it cannot be allowed to go on like that,” said another member from the council who asked not to be named as he was not authorised to speak to the media.
He added that they were now working on an arrangement in which the ANC would be able to assert more authority in council.
A key lobbyist for the “Taliban” grouping, which emerged victorious during the ANC provincial conference, insisted that Kaunda was living on borrowed time.
“This guy was basically parachuted by Zikalala, and even ahead of the conference there was a resolution for him to be removed, but the former chairperson would not budge.
“With the developments it is an open and shut case that he will not last,” said the ANC insider.
Numerous attempts to get comment from the ANC in eThekwini Region were unsuccessful, as regional secretary Musa Nciki and spokesperson Mlondi Mkhize could not be reached.
Kaunda and his spokesperson, Mluleki Mntungwa, were also unavailable.
Party insiders have indicated that changes in eThekwini could mark the start of the removal of all leaders that were associated with Zikalala.