EMALAHLENI – eMalahleni Municipality Speaker Mduduzi Nkosi, also known as Mswati, appears to have developed a thick skin in the face of mounting criticism.
The ANC politician is under pressure, with a group from the eMalahleni community calling for his resignation over a string of alleged wrongdoings, including corruption, ill-discipline, dividing the community, and contravening council rules.
Fuelled by public dissatisfaction, his political opponents, the Democratic Alliance (DA), have made their intentions clear: they plan to table a motion of no confidence should he refuse to step down.
However, Mswati told Highveld Chronicle that stepping down is not an option. “That is not going to happen. I am not going anywhere. I am still the Speaker of this municipality and I’m continuing with my work,” he said on Tuesday, April 22.
“I can’t resign on the basis of allegations. How many people have faced allegations before and did not resign? Why should I be the first to resign because of these allegations?” he asked.
“I will only resign if the ANC tells me to do so.”
Nkosi has previously faced scrutiny and made headlines. In September 2021, he was shot in the leg at his home in eMalahlen, a case which police later dropped due to a lack of evidence. In May 2022, a Sunday newspaper published a report linking him to illegal coal mining operations in the area. Then in July last year, he was accused of assaulting AmaNdebele chief Tony Mahlangu during a Mandela Day event held in Kriel, near eMalahleni. Mswati denied the allegations of assault, pointing out that they are “entirely false and without merit”. Amidst all the events, Mswati stood his ground and continued with his duties as the Speaker of the municipality, as delegated by his party.
On Thursday, April 17, the ANC provincial leadership met with Nkosi and other regional leaders to be briefed on matters concerning eMalahleni. However, the ANC Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) declined to disclose the outcome of the meeting.
