Former eThekwini Metro mayor Zandile Gumede and ANC KwaZulu-Natal deputy chairperson Mike Mabuyakhulu were asked on Friday to step aside while an investigation is carried out through the courts for their alleged corruption.
It has been emphasized that the two have not resigned, they have just been stepped down while the matters are resolved.
In the mean time, while not in the office they will continue to receive their full salary paid out of tax payers money.
The ANC chairperson Sihle Zikalala described the ordeal as a “working suspension”.
“In case you’ve got a suspension in the industry you are working in, what happens? That is the first thing you must ask. You get suspended. It is called suspension with pay. That’s what happens. In our case, we are saying these comrades are not resigning, but stepping down.”
WATCH: @ANCKZN chairperson @sziks explains the decision to keep @GumedeZandileRT on as a non-working MPL. He likens it to a suspension with pay. @News24 @TeamNews24 pic.twitter.com/q1es66f9jq
— Kaveel Singh (@kaveels) August 28, 2020
Zikalala reassures the public that they aim to resolve this matter as swiftly.
“We will assure it is processed within a reasonable space of time. We know the next cry is about paying people who are not at work. We are conscious of that and have even discussed that. We are going to ensure the matter is expedited and handled within a short space of time.”
Zikalala made it known that the ANC is listening to the public and it is their duty to hear the voices when an issue arises
“The ability of the ANC to self-correct is important. In this case, we are saying, as the ANC, yes, politically there was a decision taken. We implemented it. There was a response from society and we must show that we are listening to society too, while not undermining the rights of the comrades affected.”
