The ANC's homophobic mayor, Rev James Mthethwa of Umzinyathi district municipality, has resigned, claiming that his party has other plans for him.
His sudden resignation follows contentious comments he made on a public platform last month that he intends clamping down on homosexuality and that gay people spread HIV/Aids.
Mthethwa initially denied he made the comments before the municipality issued an apology.
The municipality said Mthethwa wished to apologise and retract all statements to "those who were offended directly or indirectly".
Mthethwa reportedly made the comments at the launch of a project in Dundee last month.
He said he was concerned that homosexuals were bringing shame to communities and were responsible for the spread of HIV.
Mthethwa also said homosexuality needed to be stopped "before spreading to other places".
He went on to say that community health workers would run a door-to-door campaign to educate locals "about the dangers of homosexuality".
Mthethwa yesterday confirmed he had resigned but claimed the ANC was redeploying him.
"That's true, I have resigned, but it has nothing to do with what you are asking me. The organisation as we are going to the [local government] elections said it needed me to use my skills elsewhere. I was never trained to be mayor, that's why I go anywhere the ANC deploys me. But they haven't said anything for now."
KwaZulu-Natal ANC secretary Sihle Zikalala confirmed Mthethwa's resignation but also rubbished reports that Mthethwa was forced to resign because of his controversial remarks about homosexuals.
Party insiders said yesterday the ANC forced Mthethwa to resign because his remarks flew against the party's constitution and the ideology of a non-sexist organisation.
"The ANC does not even have the majority at Umzinyathi as it governs with the NFP. This is one of two districts where the ANC lacks political hegemony and his remarks, as much as they could be applauded by a conservative community like this, they reflected badly outside," said a member of the Bhambatha regional executive.
He said Mthethwa was also refusing to co-operate with the ANC as a deployee following his ousting as regional chair last December.
"He has been reported several times to the PEC (provincial executive committee) and the ANC finally decided to remove him. He didn't want to vacate his position."
Mthethwa was replaced by Linda Ngubane as regional chair. He is also likely to be replaced, as district mayor, by Msinga councillor Ntombi Ngubane, who also serves in the Umzinyathi district as a proportional representation councillor.
Mthethwa is reportedly headed to the National Council of Provinces.
Anti-homosexual mayor resigns
The ANC's homophobic mayor, Rev James Mthethwa of Umzinyathi district municipality, has resigned, claiming that his party has other plans for him.
His sudden resignation follows contentious comments he made on a public platform last month that he intends clamping down on homosexuality and that gay people spread HIV/Aids.
Mthethwa initially denied he made the comments before the municipality issued an apology.
The municipality said Mthethwa wished to apologise and retract all statements to "those who were offended directly or indirectly".
Mthethwa reportedly made the comments at the launch of a project in Dundee last month.
He said he was concerned that homosexuals were bringing shame to communities and were responsible for the spread of HIV.
Mthethwa also said homosexuality needed to be stopped "before spreading to other places".
He went on to say that community health workers would run a door-to-door campaign to educate locals "about the dangers of homosexuality".
Mthethwa yesterday confirmed he had resigned but claimed the ANC was redeploying him.
"That's true, I have resigned, but it has nothing to do with what you are asking me. The organisation as we are going to the [local government] elections said it needed me to use my skills elsewhere. I was never trained to be mayor, that's why I go anywhere the ANC deploys me. But they haven't said anything for now."
KwaZulu-Natal ANC secretary Sihle Zikalala confirmed Mthethwa's resignation but also rubbished reports that Mthethwa was forced to resign because of his controversial remarks about homosexuals.
Party insiders said yesterday the ANC forced Mthethwa to resign because his remarks flew against the party's constitution and the ideology of a non-sexist organisation.
"The ANC does not even have the majority at Umzinyathi as it governs with the NFP. This is one of two districts where the ANC lacks political hegemony and his remarks, as much as they could be applauded by a conservative community like this, they reflected badly outside," said a member of the Bhambatha regional executive.
He said Mthethwa was also refusing to co-operate with the ANC as a deployee following his ousting as regional chair last December.
"He has been reported several times to the PEC (provincial executive committee) and the ANC finally decided to remove him. He didn't want to vacate his position."
Mthethwa was replaced by Linda Ngubane as regional chair. He is also likely to be replaced, as district mayor, by Msinga councillor Ntombi Ngubane, who also serves in the Umzinyathi district as a proportional representation councillor.
Mthethwa is reportedly headed to the National Council of Provinces.
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