ANC criticised over choice of mayor

31 May 2011 - 09:07
By Alfred Moselakgomo

THE DA in Mpumalanga says it is shocked and concerned with the ANC's choice of Mbombela municipality mayor Catherine Dlamini.

The party said Dlamini was inexperienced for the position.

"She has little experience," DA leader Anthony Benadie said.

Dlamini, an ANC provincial executive committee member, was a councillor at Nkomazi municipality until she moved to Premier David Mabuza's office in 2008 where she was policy evaluation director.

Said Benadie: "We believe that Dlamini has an unproven track record, with little to no municipal knowledge.

"The DA is now more than ever concerned about the future of Mbombela municipality.

"Therefore, the Mbombela municipality will be run by ineffectual people," he said.

Dlamini had a run-in with the local municipality after the White River magistrate's court recently ordered her to vacate a house in the area, which she allegedly occupied illegally.

Benadie said his party believed the process used by Mabuza (to appoint mayors) was an attempt to take control of the resources, which could not happen during the Lassy Chiwayo regime.

ANC spokesperson Paul Mbenyane defended the party's choice, saying Dlamini gained experience while she was still at Nkomazi municipality.

"She is a perfect choice," he said.