Joburg alliance to 'rescue' Tshwane from DA-led coalition, vows Lesufi
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi believes the new political alliance in Johannesburg has a duty to "rescue" the City of Tshwane from the DA-led coalition.
Lesufi’s remarks come amid intense pressure on the governing coalition in Tshwane, following a damning report by the auditor-general on the state of the city's finances.
It also emerged last week that Tshwane's debt to Eskom has grown to a whopping R1.4 billion.
Speaking shortly after the inauguration of new Joburg Mayor Thapelo Amad, Lesufi said the provincial ANC will enter into talks with other political parties in Tshwane in a bid to remove the DA from power.
“We want to stabilise all three metros.
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“It is not surprising that some of them (political parties) are inviting us as the ANC. We were fine in our opposition benches. They are inviting us to come and rescue Tshwane. Because we love our citizens we will go there and rescue that municipality as well.”
“Where we stand politically, we respect opposition parties. Size doesn’t count. It’s the skills and the talent that we are bringing on the table. It’s a new form of leadership that people will be surprised about.”
Lesufi said the Joburg coalition cannot afford to stand idly by while Tshwane's finances sink deeper into the red.
“R10 billion vanishes. R600 million was used wrongly. It’s not the ANC that says that, it’s the auditor-general, an independent body.
"They can’t pay Eskom. For the first time Eskom is threatening to switch them off. We can’t fold our arms as this coalition. We must rush to Tshwane and rescue the people of Tshwane.”