Bongani Baloyi jumps ship to join Action SA
Former Midvaal mayor Bongani Baloyi has jumped ship to join Action SA after resigning from the Democratic Alliance (DA) last December.
Baloyi left the official opposition party after a successful stint in local government, having achieved seven consecutive clean audits as the municipality's first citizen.
At the time of his resignation, Baloyi denied any bad blood between him and party leadership, adding was leaving the party on his own accord.
During an announcement that will leave tongues wagging in the political arena, Baloyi announced his move to ActionSA.
"When you reflect on this party, what it has achieved in this short space of time and if you also you have a deep dive into South African politics and see what they have been able to achieve just based on that - if that does not inspire you then there is something wrong with you.
"I had a fantastic journey in the Democratic Alliance, I had many battles in the Democratic Alliance. I was very aware that when you join politics, you're not joining some creche society - it's a serious task where you have conversations and disagreements about the policy, expressions or articulations about the party and where to take that country. So, naturally it's not going to be a choir where everyone sings the same and has the same views, we are going to differ but I have a full appreciation of that. I did not leave because of that," Baloyi explained on Monday.
Baloyi added that he believes the move is well-timed.
"It's a perfect time now. I did not disrupt government where I was leading in Midvaal. I allowed for a transition so there's stability and continuity of government.
"My departure won't affect the institution," he assured.
Baloyi’s stellar record has also been used an example of good and effective governance in a country where municipalities are fraught with corruption and poor service delivery.
"Leading to my departure, none of you heard anything that Bongani is being investigated for one thing or the other. It was a clean pull-out," he said.
Action SA leader Herman Mashaba has signed several high-profile names since the party's inception over a year ago.
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