James Nxumalo may be the mayor and S’bu Sithole the municipal manager, but the real power behind the throne in eThekwini – the man who will influence council decisions and spending – is marathon runner and medical doctor Sibongiseni Dhlomo. He was elected ANC regional chairman at the party’s elective conference this weekend.
Because the ANC controls the municipality, Dhlomo will effectively have a hand in major decisions and on the city’s purse strings from behind the scenes.
He will also have to deal with the problems raised in the damning Manase report, which revealed widespread maladministration and corruption in the municipality.
Dhlomo came to power after trumping Nhlankanipho Ntombela by 25 votes – 277 to 242.
The eThekwini region had been without a chairman since the death in 2010 of John Mchunu, who played a powerful role in dispensing political patronage.
The Mercury has reported how Mchunu wielded his influence over eThekwini, amassing millions by trading with the municipality. He was also responsible for artist Andries Botha’s elephant sculpture project in Warwick Triangle being torpedoed.
Insiders said Mchunu regularly gave instructions on how the municipality should be run. His predecessor, Bheki Cele, was regularly seen at city hall.
Sithole, who took over as city manager in January, said that he looked forward to co-operating with the ANC leadership on municipal challenges and development issues.
Political analyst Protas Madlala said Dhlomo’s election meant that the Easter bunny had arrived early for eThekwini ratepayers.
He said Dhlomo had made a name for himself as a health MEC who worked exceptionally hard. His arrival would result in better and cleaner governance in eThekwini.
Others said Dhlomo was “very clean, but perhaps too soft”. Delegates who supported him said that his political credentials, which included imprisonment on Robben Island and serving as an MK cadre, and his track record proved that he was suited to the position.
ANC provincial secretary Sihle Zikalala said that the new leaders enjoyed the support of the conference. They had the task of restoring “vibrant leadership”, consolidating unity and improving service and good governance.
Dhlomo said he was “humbled” that his fellow comrades had looked at him and seen a leader. However, he refused to comment on the tasks and challenges he faced.
Sources said that ANC provincial chairman Zweli Mkhize was assured of another term as premier after the election of Dhlomo, his close friend and political ally. Last week, the Moses Mabhida (greater Pietermaritzburg) region, where Mkhize is based, elected another of his allies, Alpha Shelembe, as its regional chairman.
With eThekwini in the bag and all 11 regions in the province having completed their voting, insiders said nothing stood in Mkhize’s way of remaining provincial chairman.
The eThekwini executive committee is: Dhlomo, chairman; Phelelani Mshengu, deputy chairman; Bhekithemba Ntshangase, secretary; Monica Jama, deputy secretary; Zandile Gumede, treasurer. Additional members: Barbara Fortein, James Nxumalo, Nomvuzo Shabalala, Lindiwe Beebee, Stanley Xulu, Jomo Sibiya, Mlungisi Mthunzi Dlamini, Mpume Ntshangase, Fawzia Peer, Mina Lesoma, Jabulisile Mbongwa, Dumisane Shoba, Stanley Moonsamy, Ntombi Ndlela and Bheki Ntuli.