Mbalula explains ANC support for controversial mayors amid coalition politics
via The Citizen12 min read
ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula stated that the ANC is not responsible for the election of some controversial mayors in the City of Johannesburg, attributing this to the current era of coalition politics in South Africa. Speaking in Johannesburg, Mbalula highlighted that the ANC sometimes has no alternative but to negotiate with other parties in municipalities, even if it means supporting candidates from smaller parties. He noted the fragility of coalition politics in Johannesburg, which has seen multiple mayors since the 2021 local government elections, including Mpho Moerane, Mpho Phalatse, Thapelo Amad, Kabelo Gwamanda, and current mayor Dada Morero. Mbalula mentioned that the ANC and its partners elected Amad as mayor in 2023, but he was later asked to resign due to allegations of incompetence. He also referenced a similar situation in the City of Ekurhuleni where a mayor from a small party was removed for inefficiency. Mbalula indicated that both the DA and ANC now support new legislation for a threshold in coalition arrangements to reduce the likelihood of small party candidates holding mayoral positions, a proposal smaller parties are rejecting. He added that the ANC aims for an outright majority rather than coalition governance. Regarding the appointment of the EFF's Nkululeko Dunga as Gauteng's Finance MEC, Mbalula asserted that the ANC is not to blame, as coalition partners provide their own candidates.
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