Canaan Mdletshe

Canaan Mdletshe

Controversial former mayor of KwaDukuza in KwaZulu-Natal, Siyanda Mhlongo, who is a staunch supporter of President Thabo Mbeki, says he will not attend tomorrow's event where ANC deputy president Jacob Zuma is expected.

Zuma will be at Ntshawini as part of a poverty-alleviation project led by maskandi music group Izingane Zoma. Mhlongo said he would not attend because "Zuma is not coming into the area as the deputy president of the ANC, but as an individual".

"This is a private invitation, and we do not attend private functions," said Mhlongo.

He said even those regional members who will attend will do so in their personal capacities, not as ANC representatives.

He said if Zuma was there in his capacity as deputy president, he would "definitely attend".

But Greater KwaDukuza regional deputy secretary, Ricardo Mthembu, said Zuma was visiting the area as the deputy president of the party, and they would be welcoming him as such.

Mhlongo and his brother, Philip, recently made headlines when they said "this country cannot be led by a rapist who is manipulated by Indians".