THE embattled Amajuba district municipality in Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal, could have a new mayor and speaker by today if it abides by a court ruling.

THE embattled Amajuba district municipality in Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal, could have a new mayor and speaker by today if it abides by a court ruling.

The Durban high court yesterday ruled that the municipality must have a meeting to elect a new mayor and speaker.

The council has been plagued by incessant political tensions.

The matter had gone to court after the IFP-led council failed to hold a meeting to elect a new executive committee.

The party lost the majority vote in the council when the ANC won by-elections held last year.

The ANC had been calling for the IFP to remove its mayor, Mkhulu Mlangeni, but the IFP went to court and applied for an interdict instead.

Also, an IFP councillor resigned from the council and as a result smaller parties like the Federal Congress (Fedcon) and the Democratic Alliance had the deciding vote.

Speculation is rife that this is why Fedcon councillor Thenjiwe Veronica Buthelezi, 66, was gunned down in her home on Sunday.

Buthelezi was tipped to vote with the ANC when the meeting eventually took place, but she was killed, three days before the courtruling.

ANC provincial secretary Sihle Zikalala said they were free to go to any meeting anytime. "But I don't see the practicality of going to a meeting when the councillor would be buried. But if it does take place, we will certainly attend."