More effort needed from DA to retain power in Joburg, Tshwane - analyst
Political analyst Ralph Mathekga believes the Democratic Alliance (DA) will have to pull up its socks if it is to retain power in at least of the country’s major metros.
This comes after the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) on Tuesday submitted an urgent motion of no confidence against Tshwane mayor Stevens Mokgalapa.
The Johannesburg city council is also gearing up to elect a new mayor on Thursday following the resignation of Herman Mashaba.
The EFF says is motion is based on what it believes is substantial and glaring failures by Mokgalapa.
They want Mokgalapa to be removed from office due to the water crisis in Hammanskraal, flouted procurement standards and the continued power outages in Laudium, Atteridgeville, Mamelodi and Soshanguve.
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Mathekga says the motion comes as no surprise.
"This has got much to do with the just the parties trying to strengthen themselves, because we know the position of mayor in the City of Johannesburg is up for grabs. I think the EFF is making the point, when parties go into the council, there's an awareness of what the EFF is planning.
"The DA will certainly find itself where it is trying, by all means, to scramble to deal with the EFF. It is just a negotiation for power.”
Mathekga believes that the official opposition will have to pull up its socks to secure at least one of the metros.
"I think for the DA they will be lucky to retain the mayor or control of Johannesburg. They will need to put much more effort into it. They have been weakened.”