The ANC in Ekurhuleni has put through a motion of no confidence against the City of Ekurhuleni’s DA mayor, Tania Campbell, following the sacking of MMCs whose political party, the Patriotic Alliance, were removed from the DA-led multi-party coalition.
ANC regional spokesperson Lesiba Mpya confirmed that the motion was submitted yesterday (October 12), saying the motion of no confidence vote against the mayor is expected to be held on October 26 during an extraordinary sitting of the council.
If successful, this could see the DA-led multi-party coalition government losing its ruling power in council and the city.
The Ekurhuleni multi-party coalition government initially comprises the DA, ActionSA, COPE, IFP and the PA.
This motion came barely a month after the mayor of Johannesburg, Mpho Phalatse, was ousted from the position, after losing a no-confidence vote.
The ANC’s Dada Morero was unopposed voted in as mayor during the same sitting.
MMCs get the sack
The Ekurhuleni’s multi-party coalition government has on October 7 appointed new MMCs to its human settlements, and health and social development portfolios.
The changes came after Patriotic Alliance’s former MMC for Health and Social Development Bakang Lethoko and Human Settlements MMC Dino Peterson were sacked from their posts as a result of changes in the members of the multi-party coalition.
Charlotte Zitha took over as Health and Social Development MMC, while Mabekenyane Thamahane was appointed as the MMC of Human Settlements.
Zitha made a short stint as the MMC in the same position before she was removed early this year and replaced by Lethoko.
Patriotic Alliance leader Gayton McKenzie tweeted Friday afternoon (October 7), saying their councillors gracefully accepted the mayor’s decision.
“The DA mayor in Ekurhuleni has just removed, as it’s her right, the PA councillors from the mayoral committee. We want to thank her for the time our councillors served on her committee,” he wrote.
According to mayor spokesperson Warren Gwilt, the MMCs were removed as their political party is no longer part of the coalition.
He confirmed that COPE and the PA have been removed as coalition partners and the coalition has reverted to its initial configuration that was set up to run the city following the 2021 municipal elections.
The mayor’s office reiterated that the changes were made in the interest of improving service delivery and ensuring that the government continues to fulfil its mandate in the city.
ANC weighs in on ‘purging’ of mayoral committee
The main opposition party, ANC, also weighed in with criticisms regarding the changes, saying the DA is purging the mayoral committee, and replacing opponents with the coalition government’s political allies.
Before the submission of the motion, Mpya indicated that his party would consider submitting a motion of no confidence in the mayor earlier than expected, adding that the ANC was in talks with political parties that are not part of the coalition government to install a ‘stable’ revolutionary government that will serve the masses of the city.
“The ANC in Ekurhuleni condemns the DA’s desperate attempt to hang on to power in the city. With the mandate that our people have given us, we are now compelled to submit a motion of the people to remove the mayor and rescue the city from the unstable government.
“Service delivery has deteriorated while the DA-led coalition government ‘recklessly’ shuffle the mayoral committee to settle a petty political score with their coalition partners.
“We know our people decided not to give us a full mandate to run the city until we renew ourselves and stop our inward looking. But, they have given us the mandate to on their behalf rise to the occasion and protect their interests.
“We humbly request the residents of Ekurhuleni to be patient during this period of political uncertainty,” said Mpya.
However, the multi-party coalition government said it has for the past 11 months worked tirelessly to foster a culture of good governance and provide quality services to all residents.
“The coalition government has made great in-roads at delivering on the promises made to residents in the State of the City Address earlier this year. Changes to the MMC portfolios are not impeding the progress of your ‘Back to Basic’ initiative,” said Gwilt.
Vacant MMC position
The metro is by law required to create 10 MMCs portfolios, but with the recent changes made, the city has not yet filled the vacant post of MMC of Infrastructure Services.
This vacancy was created after the former MMC of Infrastructure Services COPE’s Thembani Kalipa was removed. This follows controversy over his COPE membership and alleged violation of Item 14 of the Code of Conduct for Councillors.
Gwilt said the position will be filled soon, adding that it is being looked after by MMC of City Planning Heather Hart, as city planning is closely linked to infrastructure.
The office of the mayor described the role of MMCs as the executive arm of a department and is required to ensure that their respective departments carry out their mandates.
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