Maimane compares ANC in Joburg to ‘alcoholics running Tops’

Former Democratic Alliance (DA) leader, Mmusi Maimane, has been making waves on social media again after he tweeted about the African National Congress (ANC)’s management of the City of Johannesburg.

In the tweet, Maimane, who is currently the leader of new political party Build One South Africa, expressed his concern over “convicted criminals” governing the city.

Mmusi Maimane takes aim

He said allowing African National Congress’s (ANC) politicians to run the city is equivalent to allowing an alcoholic to be in charge.

Maimane shared a photo along with his tweet, showing Panyaza Lesufi, Gauteng’s 7th premier, and Gayton MacKenzie.

The tweet – which has since been deleted – has gained traction on social media platforms, with many users sharing their opinions on the matter.

This comes amidst recent developments in the City of Joburg’s metropolitan municipality’s council sitting, which has been postponed due to the resignation of the mayor.

Joburg mayor saga

On Tuesday, the City of Johannesburg’s metropolitan municipality’s council sitting to elect a new mayor was postponed.

The city was scheduled to hold a special council meeting on Tuesday, but the plans were cancelled after the resignation of Al Jama-ah councillor Thapelo Amad as mayor.

According to the city’s statement released on Tuesday, “The cancellation was necessitated by the resignation of the executive mayor, councillor Thapelo Amad, as Section 60(5) of Local Government Municipal Structures Act 117 of 1998, as amended requires that: ‘If the executive mayor vacates office, the mayoral committee appointed by that executive mayor dissolves’.”

Amad’s resignation

The delay in electing a new mayor has raised concerns among residents of Johannesburg, who have been waiting for a new leader to be appointed amid the city’s ongoing challenges.

The postponement has also led to speculation about the reasons behind Amad’s resignation and whether the ANC will be able to retain control of Johannesburg.

In a separate tweet, Maimane expressed his concerns about the testimony of former Eskom CEO Andre de Ruyter in front of the Standing Committee for Public Accounts.

Maimane on De Ruyter

Maimane criticised De Ruyter for undermining the committee by refusing to name the ministers involved in organised crime at Eskom and the minister who allegedly made a statement about “allowing people to eat”.

The Standing Committee for Public Accounts is being undermined by the testimony of Andre de Ruyter.

It is unacceptable to refuse to name the ministers involved in organized crime at Eskom and the minister who said we must “allow people to eat”.

— Mmusi Maimane (@MmusiMaimane) April 26, 2023

These comments have sparked a conversation on social media among South Africans, with many users sharing their thoughts on the matter.

One Twitter user said De Ruyter “lied to clean up his poor performance as the CEO of Eskom”, while another added:

“Exactly, he is protecting those corrupt ministers; we are going nowhere with De Ruyter’s testimony here.”

Sharing an opposing belief, one netizen asked: “Do you blame him? In a country where whistleblowers get murdered like criminals?”