Sicelo Dladla

Sicelo Dladla

The African National Congress in KwaZulu-Natal is on a shopping spree - this time for a new home.

This after one of its comrades and senior leader sold the building they occupy at present in central Durban without notifying them.

"I can confirm that we are shopping around for a new location in town," provincial ANC secretary Senzo Mchunu said. "Strange things happen. It was also unfortunate that it happened to us."

The party has been occupying the 50 Masonic Groove building for the past five years but is now "homeless" because prominent businessmen and former ANC Youth League leader Diliza Mji sold his property, which houses the ANC provincial headquarters, without informing the provincial ANC leadership.

Mchunu confirmed that Mji had sold the building without informing the party. He said he could not find a clear reason why Mji did this to his own party.

"I failed to get a clear explanation from him," he said.

Mji was unavailable for comment despite several messages left on his phone.

But a close friend thinks Mji sold the building because a deal with the ANC went sour.

"The ANC spent R2,3 million on renovations in the hope that it would get preference when the building is sold," Mchunu said.

"I believe something went wrong with the agreements so Mji sold the building without informing them."

Former ANC treasurer Mike Mabuyakhulu is the one who first raised concerns about the loss.

Mabuyakhulu, who is also MEC for local government and traditional affairs, said the organisation was about to lose the millions spent on renovations because Mji had sold the building without informing them.