‘The plug must be pulled’ – ANC Ekurhuleni ready to ditch EFF partnership
The ANC in Ekurhuleni has threatened to pull the plug on its alliance with the EFF in the ailing metro.
The party’s regional task team briefed the media in Germiston on Tuesday, amid the African National Congress’s (ANC) implied support of an Action SA-sponsored motion of no confidence against Mayor Sivuyile Ngodwana.
The ANC and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) share five mayoral committee posts each in Ekurhuleni, following the election of Ngodwana as mayor through an ANC-EFF collaboration deal last year, that saw the ousting of the Democratic Alliance’s Tania Campbell.
Last month a council sitting meant to debate the motion of no confidence descended into chaos when a scuffle broke out between ANC and EFF councillors.
READ MORE: Ekurhuleni council sitting postponed as ANC, EFF reach stalemate
The ANC’s regional coordinator Jongizizwe Dlabathi said the demand for a change in leadership is informed by the “glaring regression” of the city’s governance and service delivery capabilities under the current leadership.
“It’s our perspective as the ANC that we need to salvage the city of Ekurhuleni from what may become a total collapse; particularly in the provision of basic services like energy, water, sanitation, repairs and maintenance, as well as our standing of our finances.”
The “missing” auditor-general report remains a contentious issue in the metro, with Finance MMC Nkululeko Dunga accused of breaching the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) by failing to submit the city’s annual financial statements within the legislated deadline.
However, the leadership dispute claims the ANC is seeking to usurp key portfolios, such as finance, from the EFF.
THE PLUG MUST BE PULLED
Regional task team deputy convenor Eric Xayiya said they were willing to sit in the opposition benches and won’t be bound by a past decision to work with the EFF in the metro.
“This change will take place, even if it means those deployed are losing their positions, it will take place. We can’t allow this slide to continue, the plug must be pulled. It doesn’t matter when. We are here appointed as the RTT, we have seen the mess, and we won’t allow it to continue.”
Dlabathi previously wrote to the ANC’s secretary-general Fikile Mbalula, expressing concern over the partnership with the Red Berets.
However, the RTT leadership offered a lukewarm response when asked whether it had the support of the party’s higher structures to can the partnership, saying only that it had brought the provincial executive into confidence and engagements on the way forward were ongoing.
The ANC’s provincial spokesperson was not available to comment.
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