DURBAN - Dr Ntuthuko Mahlaba was elected during a two day ANC regional executive committee (REC) conference held at Farmer’s Hall in Newcastle at the weekend.
Other members elected during the conference include deputy chairperson Phumzile Mgcina, regional secretary Chris Mhlophe, deputy secretary Vuyiswa Mzima and treasurer Ally Khoza.
Speaking to The Mercury yesterday, Mahlaba said that his re-election to the role was humbling and a demonstration of the confidence shown in him by the members, regardless of the “challenges”.
“I am grateful for the confidence shown by the branch delegates. From all the 20 officials that were elected, the top five were elected uncontested. And that shows the unity of the members in the region.
“Even people who never supported us before this time, they supported us,” he said.
The party’s provincial leadership had excluded Mahlaba’s name from its councillor candidate list for the upcoming local government elections after it had resolved that anyone facing criminal charges should be removed.
Mahlaba, who is embroiled in a series of legal troubles, is attending a court case at the Newcastle Magistrate’s Court where he is facing charges of assault and theft. It is alleged he and his two bodyguards had an argument with a contractor who was installing fibre cables in the town.
In 2019, Mahlaba was arrested for the 2016 murder of ANC Youth League (ANCYL) leader Wandile Ngubeni. However, the charges were withdrawn later that year.
Mahlaba said that being re-elected proved the members in the region regard him as a leader and have confidence in him.
“They know who I really am, and those are the people who I live with every day. The people in this region and the municipality know how I conduct myself and know very well that everything that has been said against me is just lies and fabrications,” said Mahlaba.
He said being excluded from the ANC list of candidates that would contest the elections on behalf of the party was a decision of the party, adding that it didn’t affect his position as chairperson of the region.
Political analyst Xolani Dube said Mahlaba’s role placed him in a good position to be appointed as an MEC in one of the departments in the province. Dube said this was, however, subject to the outcome of his court case.
“Emalahleni is one of the strongest factions in the province and if he is not found guilty, there are high chances he might become an MEC. This is because he is with a very influential faction, with a very strong political backing. He also holds a role as a mayor of one of the biggest municipalities. There would be no other reason not to appoint him as an MEC in one of the departments,” Dube said.
THE MERCURY