Ekurhuleni mayor Duma Nkosi has resigned.
The African National Congress provincial executive committee (PEC) in Gauteng said it had accepted Nkosi’s resignation on Friday.
”The PEC accepted his request to be relieved of his duties as the executive mayor and we thank him for his contribution throughout the years,” said provincial ANC spokesperson Nkenke Kekana.
Nkosi had been mayor for the past seven years.
”We acknowledge the important role he played in leading the Ekurhuleni metropolitan council,” said Kekana.
Last week, it was reported that Nkosi had told the provincial ANC that he wanted to resign but the party said he would stay in his position until his request was reviewed by the PEC.
Asked at the time why Nkosi wanted to resign, Kekana said: ”We should expect that from time to time, when you have the responsibility he has, there will be pressures. Those pressures need to be managed and regulated properly.”
The mayor recently angered the South African Municipal Workers’ Union when he refused to accept a memorandum at a march. After that, the union called on Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa to remove Nkosi from office.
He submitted his letter of resignation two weeks ago, amid speculation of pressure from the ANC.
The speaker of the council, Lentheng Helen Mekgwe, will take over from Nkosi on July 31, until she is formally elected by the council, Kekana said. — Sapa