Daggers will soon be drawn and another Joburg mayor will be ousted

It has all the hallmarks of a mafia movie: the shenanigans in the unstable City of Joburg and elsewhere in South Africa – led by people who have desperately resorted to put their stomachs and narrow party interests above citizens.

Weeks without a mayor has become a macrocosm of a countrywide phenomenon, sweeping through a democratic nation Ruth First, Steve Biko, Robert Sobukwe and Chris Hani sweated blood for to be free from apartheid.

If we continue witnessing the circus of what has become associated with the politics of coalition, then heaven help us, because not only has this shown a middle finger to the real freedom fighters, but we have become the laughing stock of the world.

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While getting used to the efficient Dr Mpho Phalatse at the helm of Johannesburg – Africa’s economic hub – an unholy alliance soon emerged. A plan was hatched and she was pushed out of office by a bunch of opportunists through a so-called vote of no confidence by the ANC, EFF and Patriotic Alliance.

Educated, articulate, with all the leadership qualities that we so much need, Phalatse dirtied her hands: filling potholes, ensuring collection of garbage, helping to address load shedding and dealing with crime.

Phalatse, the first woman to lead the city, was what we needed. Her pleas to the Joburg multiparty government to ensure politics were “people-centred, not self-centred”, fell on deaf ears.

Disappointed at being ousted, a saddened Phalatse remarked: “I’m concerned about our city and residents. They had a good government that cared for them, that took care of the purse, that made sure there’s no corruption – a government that was for solutions, for service delivery, innovative and for some of hardest challenges, such as load shedding.

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“I’m honoured that I had the opportunity to serve as the first female mayor of the Joburg metro council.”

Among many quotes of our nation’s iconic leader Nelson Mandela, I remember when he remarked: “I don’t care whether the cat is black or white … as long as it can catch mice.”

It could also mean that our battered electorate, tired of empty promises, should in future elections be looking at voting to power people who will put their interests first.

Politically bruised and no longer concerned about which party is in leadership, many South Africans have outgrown becoming part of the voting fodder and praise singers for leaders who cannot wait to turn their backs on them after the polls.

Is corruption and narrow political interests what we continue to vote for all these years? Certainly, people have become tired of voting in fat cats who visit neighbourhoods in bluelight convoys – to be “surprised at how my people are really struggling and poor”.

A new trend by bigger parties has been that of propelling political novices to “positions of power” as mayors and getting rid of them as soon as it becomes convenient.

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This was what we saw when little-known Al Jama-ah’s Thapelo Amad was voted in to replace Phalatse. He could not believe the manna from heaven… But before long, those who voted him into power, reminded him that his time was up.

As moves to find a replacement for Amad have begun – in what will again go down as an unholy alliance – we should remember that none of the clowns have our interests at heart.

Controversies and fights among coalition partners will soon erupt. Daggers will soon be drawn and another mayor will be ousted – with vultures waiting to feast on the carcass…

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