ANC-EFF coalition in Ekurhuleni 'still intact'
Amid claims by the Ekurhuleni ANC’s Jongizizwe Dlabathi that the metro was on the brink of bankruptcy, the provincial leadership has poured cold water over concerns that the ANC-EFF coalition hangs in the balance.
His claims of the dire state of finances come as Eskom released a statement saying Ekurhuleni and Tshwane were failing to pay their debt, with Ekurhuleni owing the power utility just under R1.5 billion.
However, the Economic Freedom Fighter’s (EFF) Nkululeko Dunga, who is also the metro’s finance MMC, has rebutted Dlabathi’s claim.
Though admitting they were in what he described as “recovery mode”, Dunga said the city’s finances had improved since they took over.
Dlabathi had previously written to the party’s provincial office asking it to review the coalition with the EFF in Ekurhuleni.
READ: Eskom claims Ekurhuleni, Tshwane owe utility R4.7bn
Briefing media on the outcome of the party’s provincial executive committee meeting in Johannesburg on Wednesday, ANC provincial secretary Thembinkosi Nciza said having “clashes” within a coalition was not unheard of, adding that they continue to engage their partners in all the coalitions they were in.
“Of course, if a coalition doesn’t work for the people in terms of service delivery, we will reconsider that. But as it stands, we’ll continue to engage with all our coalition partners.”
Provincial chairperson Panyaza Lesufi said the coalition agreements in Gauteng had brought stability, especially in Ekurhuleni and Johannesburg, following a series of no-confidence motions.
“There are differences that we have with the Patriotic Alliance in Johannesburg, and with the EFF in Ekurhuleni, and to have differences does not mean the collapse of any municipality.
“When Action SA does not agree with the DA in Tshwane, why are you not saying that the alliance there is under threat? But when the ANC and EFF have different views it’s a collapse of authority,” Lesufi said.
Earlier this year the ANC adopted the coalition guidelines framework which sought to streamline coalition deals, which states – among other points – that the party with the most votes would lead the municipality while executive positions should be allocated in proportion to the votes obtained.
Currently, the governments of local unity in Ekurhuleni and the City of Joburg have seen the election of mayors from minority parties as part of the respective power-sharing deals.
READ: Kabelo Gwamanda is not an ANC mayor - Lesufi
Meanwhile, following the high court ruling that nullified the ANC’s regional conference in Ekurhuleni, Nciza – who was placed at the centre of the row as coordinator of the regional task team at the time – said the NEC would make a pronouncement on the matter soon.
“Our preoccupation is the unity of our structures as we are going into elections. Ekurhuleni is one of our strongholds, so we’d want to have a committee there so we’re able to work towards elections.
“We’re assured by the NEC that not later than this week we’ll have an RTT there.”
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