ANC mum on possible mayoral deal with EFF in Tshwane, Joburg
The African National Congress (ANC) in Tshwane remains mum on whether it could clinch a deal with the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) to oust Democratic Alliance (DA) mayors in the capital and Johannesburg.
The ANC remained tight-lipped on whether any deal has been reached for mutual support in council when the first citizen for the country’s largest metros are decided.
Outgoing Johannesburg mayor Herman Mashaba is set to pack up his office on Wednesday.
The EFF has already indicated that they will be fielding a candidate of their own to succeed Mashaba and that it won’t be voting with either the ANC or the DA.
An urgent motion of no confidence is also looming against Tshwane Mayor Stevens Mokgalapa.
“Whatever other parties are involved in – is none of our business. Our people didn’t vote us into power right now, our people are saying we need to be opposition, we are playing that role fully,” regional chairperson Kgosi Maepa said.
Maepa didn’t want to confirm reports that the EFF could support them to take back power in Tshwane, while the ANC would then in turn support the EFF in Johannesburg.
Maepa briefed the media at Tshwane House in Pretoria on Monday.
“If people want to put motion of no confidence, the party must do it. It will depend on the ANC’s tactics at the moment, whether its good for us to vote with that motion. We suspect we’ll vote with it.”
The ANC has levelled several claims of impropriety against Mokgalapa around alleged tender irregularities.
Maepa said leaders still need to decide on the way forward and how they are going to cast their vote if an urgent motion is brought against Mokgalapa.
“Tactically, strategically, looking at our future as an organisation whether we want to participate or not. If other political parties are saying they want a motion – we also not stupid, we are going to listen.”
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