Celani Sikhakhane brings you KwaZulu-Natal’s latest news.
Zululand – A senior ANC figure and relative of former president Jacob Zuma has ditched the ruling party and joined the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) after being accused of channelling Public Works tenders to MKP-linked individuals. Nhlakanipho “Cheese” Sibisi, who served as ANC regional treasurer in the Mzala Nxumalo Region, officially resigned from the ANC on Wednesday. He sent his resignation letter to ANC Provincial Task Team coordinator Mike Mabuyakhulu. Sibisi’s departure comes after months of allegations that he was using his influence at Public Works to divert tenders meant to benefit the ANC towards MKP supporters instead. Local ANC members in the region claimed Sibisi was placed at Public Works to help fund the party’s activities — a claim Sibisi has strongly denied. He said his visits to Nkandla were only because of family ties to Zuma, not political betrayal.
Pietermaritzburg – Chaos continues in KwaZulu-Natal’s health sector as staff at Nkonjeni Hospital walked off the job this week, saying they have not been paid. The Department of Health reportedly owes contractors more than R1.7-billion in unpaid invoices. The hospital workers, hired through a private company, have abandoned their posts. Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane-Mngadi is under pressure as the crisis gets worse.
Durban – The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) says the Durban University of Technology is at fault for the current protest over funding delays affecting more than 1,700 students. NSFAS said institutions were warned to submit documents by the deadline, and DUT failed to comply. The protest has now dragged into its second week, with students demanding that their funds be restored.
Pictured above: Nhlakanipho “Cheese” Sibisi.
Image source: @NhlakaCheeseS
