The former Mayor of Jozini Municipality, Mfananaye Mathe, has launched a fierce criticism of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), claiming they have failed significantly in providing clean water to the residents of Manufacture.
Mathe expressed that President Cyril Ramaphosa would be appalled to see the extreme poverty and lack of development faced by the local community, particularly since matric students in the area continue to excel in their examinations.
These comments were made on Monday during a community event where he was welcomed as a new member of the Jozini Congress, a political party established last year by local residents.
Mathe directly attributed the neglect of basic needs to the ruling coalition at Umkhanyakude, comprising the IFP, the African National Congress (ANC), and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).
He argued that this coalition has significantly harmed residents by failing to address the long-standing water crisis, despite the joint management of the municipality.
Reflecting on his removal from office in May of the previous year, Mathe noted that while he returned home, he never ceased working for his community. In response to speculation that the Jozini Congress plans to nominate him as its mayoral candidate for future Umkhanyakude elections, he expressed surprise, stating he was unaware of such a plan.
Mathe emphasized that if leadership entails merely occupying an office, he would decline the position, asserting himself as a hands-on leader who prefers to engage directly with the community. His political career has been marked by notable controversies.
During his time in office, he experienced a rift with IFP leadership after being named as one of the leading figures behind a petition to remove IFP federal president Velenkosini Hlabisa in favor of KZN Premier Thami Ntuli.
Other prominent IFP mayors allegedly involved in this initiative included King Ntandoyenkosi Shabalala (uThukela), Xolani Ngwezi (uMhlathuze), Lindokuhle Shabalala (Nquthu), Prince Ndabuko Zulu (Majuba), and Mduduzi “Sobho” Myeza (Inkosi Langalibalele).
This internal strife reportedly upset the late Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, prompting him to intervene personally to reinstate Hlabisa.
Moreover, Mathe faced severe scrutiny from the ANC regarding a R3 million budget meant for a winter school feeding program for matriculants, with allegations of corruption suggesting that the actual food expenses totaled no more than R500,000.
In defense of his administration, Mathe later announced that the remaining R2.5 million had been returned to the municipality’s budget for other community development initiatives.
Mathe initially took the mayoral position during a particularly tense council meeting in 2021 when IFP and EFF councillors were attempting to elect a different candidate.
His election was secured thanks to the swift action of senior IFP leader Thembeni kaMadlopha Mthethwa.
This intervention preserved a vital 2019 national cooperation agreement between the ANC and ISP, which had granted the IFP leadership of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) in Parliament, headed by Mkhuleko Hlengwa.
Despite the political upheaval, Mathe garnered widespread respect for his work ethic, even earning praise from political adversaries within the ANC.
His commitment and diligence led to him being nicknamed the “King of Mayors,” with former ANC KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Secretary Bheki Mtolo humorously dubbing him “Majazana” for his love of oversized suits.
