Fresh elections the only way forward for Joburg and Tshwane, says ANC

The ANC briefed the media as it prepares for this week’s motion of no confidence in Tshwane Mayor Solly Msimanga.

 “From where we stand the Tshwane municipality is not functional and it needs assistance. The only way to help the city is for the ANC to table a motion of no confidence on Thursday and call for fresh elections so that the people of Tshwane can now elect a government of their choice that will restore the damage that has been caused by the DA-led coalition in the city," said the ANC ’s deputy provincial chairperson Panyaza Lesufi. 

 Msimanga is under fire following the approval of a R12 billion tender to GladAfrica to manage the city’s capital expenditure projects. 

 The tender has seen the subsequent suspension of city manager Moeketsi Mosola.

 Should the motion against Msimanga succeed, the ANC says it will call for fresh elections.

"If you check for the systems act, after every two years any political party has the right to call for the dissolution of that municipality. So two years have passed, we are within the legal framework to call for the dissolution, we are not doing this because we are bitter and have lost power and not in charge. We are doing this because the act provides for that," said Lesufi.  

The ANC will hold a night vigil ahead of the motion of no confidence. 

"Our people asked that they want to follow the whole thing that is happening in Tshwane, so we said that we will assist them. The night vigil will happen at the Lillian Ngoyi Square, across where the council takes place. The ANC will make it conducive for people and community members to come there," said the ANC's Tshwane chairperson Kgosi Maepa.