By Thabo Mosia
The City of Tshwane is once again at the heart of South Africa’s political turbulence, following the collapse of the multi-party coalition government, which had been led by the Democratic Alliance (DA). On 26 September 2024, a motion of no confidence led by ActionSA, the African National Congress (ANC), and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) saw the ousting of DA Mayor Cilliers Brink, plunging the city into political uncertainty. The DA, under the leadership of Solly Msimanga, has vowed to hold the new coalition government accountable, accusing ActionSA of betraying the stability of the city and playing into the hands of the ANC’s ambitions.
DA’s Outcry: Betrayal and Backstabbing
In a strongly worded statement, Solly Msimanga, the DA Gauteng Provincial Leader, expressed his dismay at what he termed ActionSA’s “backstabbing” tactics. Msimanga asserted, “Thursday, 26 September 2024, will go down in history as a day that an outright backstabber sunk a functional government, and in doing so, traded stability for chaos.” He further accused ActionSA of disrupting the unity and progress that the multiparty coalition had painstakingly worked to build over recent years.
Msimanga pointed out that ActionSA’s decision had given the ANC an opportunity to exploit the instability, stating, “ActionSA’s backstabbing played right into the hands of the ANC’s power hunger. The ANC has no interest in good governance in Tshwane but wants to pillage and steal from a stabilised government.” He warned that this move would likely lead Tshwane down a path of urban decay and service delivery failures, similar to what has been witnessed in Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni .
The DA leader emphasized that the DA would not stand idly by and would continue to uphold its responsibilities to the citizens of Tshwane. “The DA caucus will proudly take up our seats as the official opposition in the City of Tshwane. In the face of adversity and instability, we will hold a broken executive to account. We have, and always will be, unforgiving in our oversight roles.”
ActionSA: Defending the Move
ActionSA, however, defended its decision to pull out of the coalition. Funzi Ngobeni, ActionSA’s Gauteng Provincial Chairperson, issued a statement criticizing the DA’s leadership under Cilliers Brink. He said, “The decisive action taken today brings an end to an 8-year failed reign of the DA in Tshwane.” Ngobeni described Brink as an “average mayor” and accused the DA of failing to address service delivery issues, particularly in the city’s townships .
Ngobeni went on to explain that ActionSA’s decision was based on feedback from communities who felt neglected by the DA’s governance. According to market research conducted by the party, only 36% of respondents felt that the city was moving in the right direction under the DA’s leadership. Ngobeni argued that ActionSA had a duty to act in the interests of the residents of Tshwane and could not remain part of a government that was failing its citizens.
EFF’s Views on Brink’s Ouster
The EFF also welcomed the removal of Brink, calling it a victory for the residents of Tshwane, particularly those in underserved communities. The party criticized Brink for his failure to manage service delivery, infrastructure, and finances in the city. The EFF stated that under Brink’s leadership, the City of Tshwane had become the worst-performing metro municipality in the country .
The EFF further accused the DA of racially biased service delivery, which had left Black communities deprived of essential services such as water and electricity, while suburban areas remained insulated from these issues. The party highlighted the ongoing water crisis in Hammanskraal, which resulted in a cholera outbreak that claimed over 30 lives, as a key failure of the DA’s governance.
ANC’s Criticism of the DA
The ANC in Gauteng also expressed its approval of the no-confidence vote, describing it as a necessary step to rescue Tshwane from what it termed the “maladministration” of the DA-led government. The ANC’s provincial secretary, Thembinkosi “TK” Nciza, issued a statement accusing the DA of leading the city through a “destructive path of regress and reversal of the gains of our hard-won democracy.” The ANC cited the city’s financial mismanagement, particularly its growing debt to Eskom and Rand Water, as evidence of the DA’s incompetence .
The ANC further criticized the DA’s austerity measures, which it claimed had disproportionately affected historically Black, Indian, and Coloured communities in the city. Nciza argued that the DA’s governance had widened the gap between affluent suburbs and struggling townships, with the latter suffering from inadequate service delivery and crumbling infrastructure.
Future of Tshwane’s Governance
As Tshwane faces yet another political upheaval, questions remain about the future governance of the city. The new coalition government, led by ActionSA, the ANC, and the EFF, will need to address the significant challenges facing the city, particularly in terms of service delivery, financial management, and infrastructure development.
The DA, now in opposition, has made it clear that it will not allow the new administration to operate unchecked. Solly Msimanga outlined several key areas where the DA will maintain a watchful eye, including any attempts to reverse disciplinary action against officials implicated in corruption scandals, such as the irregular Rooiwal tender. He also warned against the removal of professional, non-political senior managers and any moves to direct tenders to companies associated with the ANC and EFF .
As the political dynamics in Tshwane continue to evolve, the residents of the city will be looking to see whether the new government can deliver on its promises of better governance and improved service delivery.
Download Here:
Central News Weekly Edition 073 | Download the latest weekly edition| Top Story: “R180,000 in Prizes at Edgar Legoale Festive Soccer Tournament 2024”
Read all our publications on magzter:
https://www.magzter.com/ZA/Central-News-Pty-Ltd/Central-News/Newspaper/All-Issues
Central News also offers Sponsored Editorial Content, Podcasts , Radio / Social Media Simulcast, Video Production , Live Streaming Services, Press Conferences, and Paid Interviews (Video/Audio) etc.
We guarantee exceptional exposure, reach, and engagement, with an excellent return on investment.
Advertisement:
To place your advert on our platforms (Print Newspaper or Digital Platforms) : Please email : sales@centralnews.co.za
For Business Related:
business@centralnews.co.za
Newsroom:
Send your Stories / Media Statements To: newsroom@centralnews.co.za
General Info:
info@centralnews.co.za
Office Administrator:
admin@centralnews.co.za
Whatsapp / Call: 081 495 5487
Website: https://www.centralnews.co.za
Social Media Platforms (@centralnewsza) : Linkedin, Facebook, Tiktok, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube
#centralnewsza #freestate