Ramaphosa warns of new elections if coalition talks unsuccessful

Coalition talks are underway across the 66 hung councils including the hotly contested Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni in Gauteng.

The party also lost majority at eThekwini municipality in KwaZulu-Natal, roping in 42% of the votes. 

Overall the party only managed to secure outright majority in two of the country’s eight metros. 

Ramaphosa told media at a post-election briefing in Soweto on Monday that the party would not make haste decisions at coalition talks.

“We can’t treat coalition partnerships like a casual relationship; it’s a marriage and there are conditions - these conditions must be clear. 

“We want coalitions that are stable but we also want credible coalitions and we want to have a situation where we have a programme of work, it is a programme that delivers to our communities.”

ALSO READ:

Parties now have less than two weeks to finalise agreements. 

“Obviously there is a timeframe for these coalitions to take place and if those negotiations fail, the legislation kicks in. And then there might have to be another election,” he told a cheering crowd. 

Ramaphosa admitted the low voter turnout also dented the party’s efforts to govern. 

He believes residents that abstained from voting are disgruntled ANC supporters punishing the party for a lacklustre performance in government. 

“There are people who still have confidence in the African National Congress. There are people who were still willing to bet on the ANC, willing to give the African National Congress a chance.

“At the same time millions of people who voted for the ANC in the past chose to stay away from the polls. They chose to stay away rather than cast their votes for any other party. 

“Those other parties that are raising their little ponytails thinking that it’s over for the ANC - just remember that many of the people that stayed away felt that they would rather not vote for them, they would rather stay away.”

Ramaphosa added the party would go back to the drawing board, vowing to ensure redemption and correction.