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Msibi has been a rising star in the ANC. He started from being a councillor in the City of Mbombela to being a speaker and eventually a cabinet member.

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Sizwe sama Yende

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Mpumalanga ANC treasurer, Mandla Msibi, has resigned as a legislature member after the party’s National Disciplinary Committee (NDC) upheld his suspension on misconduct charges.

The Provincial Disciplinary Committee (PDC) suspended Msibi for three years, two years of which were suspended, in April after he was accused of inciting community members of Pienaar to disrupt the January 8 celebrations unless President Cyril Ramaphosa personally addressed them about the progress of the R8.3 billion Nkosi City development.

Msibi was among people who mooted the establishment of the modern agri-city on the outskirts of Pienaar, east of the Kruger National Park, 12 years ago when he was a ward councillor in the City of Mbombela.

Government has approved the project, and it promises to be a game-changer in the economically distressed area. Nkosi City will provide much-needed jobs, settlements for both the rich and poor, schools and malls.

Mpumalanga ANC secretary, Muzi Chirwa, commended Msibi in the manner he accepted the sanction.

“He said he respects the decision. We were humbled by what he wrote in his resignation letter. We expect him to come back and serve the organisation after serving his suspension a year from now,” Chirwa said.

Before the May 29 general elections Msibi was Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC in former premier Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane’s cabinet.

Chirwa said that City of Mbombela mayor, Sibongile Makushe-Mazibuko, would be acting treasurer.

Mpumalanga Cosatu chairperson, Life Monini, would replace Msibi in the legislature, Chirwa said.

He said that it was unfortunate that the Nkosi City project was central to the charges Msibi faced. Chirwa said the provincial government was keen to continue with the project among many smart cities it intended to establish in other parts of the province such as Bushbuckridge, Govan Mbeki (Secunda) and KwaMhlanga.

“The Nkosi City project was announced by the former premier in 2012 and again in 2023 during her State of the Province Addresses. I’m sure the current premier will talk of smart cities that will be constructed for human settlements and job creation. That’s the grand plan,” Chirwa said.

 

RISING STAR

Msibi has been a rising star in the ANC. He started from being a councillor in the City of Mbombela to being a speaker and eventually a cabinet member.

However, he has been fighting for political survival as he climbed the ladder.

Msibi was considered finished when he faced about 30 charges of assault, attempted murder, and vandalism a few years back. All the charges were dismissed due to lack of evidence.

In 2021 he was charged for murder and double attempted murder following a shooting outside Coyotes Shisa Nyama in Mbombela. The incident happened following conflicts about the list conference towards the local government elections. 

Msibi was again acquitted on these charges. He was elected the party’s treasurer in absentia as he had stepped aside from ANC activities because of the charges. 

UNIQUE PLAN

According to Dovetail Properties, which develops Nkosi City, one of the most interesting aspects of the development is that of the urban farm concept.

“This combines Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) housing with farm portions totalling 240 ha, which are designated for intensive agriculture.” 

 Through offtake agreements, the company says in its website, from major supermarket groups and agricultural specialist training, the development aims to uplift and create change for the residents. There is also a hemp farming initiative which may kick off during the next few months.