The former Mayor of Nongoma Local Municipality in northern KwaZulu-Natal, Clifford “Mshangane” Ndabandaba, has abruptly resigned as a councillor and executive committee (exco) member in the municipality.

Ndabandaba, who is currently facing multiple corruption charges alongside the ANC’s Babongile Sithole and former EFF councillor Sabelo Nkosi for the alleged looting of municipal funds during their tenure, submitted his resignation in a letter dated 19 February 2026.

He did not state any reason for the sudden departure.

“I am writing to formally resign from my position as a Councillor and EXCO member of Nongoma Local Municipality, effective immediately. The decision was not made lightly as I have deeply valued my time serving the community and working alongside my colleagues to improve the lives of Nongoma residents,” Ndabandaba said in his resignation letter.

He then wrote another letter to the Speaker of the municipality, informing him that he would be leaving as an exco member.

“Please accept this letter as my formal resignation as a councilor representing the National Freedom Party (NFP) in the Nongoma Local Municipality, effective from the 23rd of February 2026,” he wrote in the second letter.

While Ndabandaba has not stated why he left, it appears that he was pushed out by his party, which is torn apart by factionalism.

On 11 February this year, the Acting Secretary-General of the party, Bheki Xaba, wrote a letter advising that Ndabandaba’s seat as a councillor should be taken by Simphiwe Gazu.