In clear recognition of the central role of both the Sedibeng ANC and the EFF as a potential coalition partner in Emfuleni, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi this week personally supported ELM’s Executive Mayor during the failed motion of no confidence against him.
Lesufi was seen at the special ELM Council meeting in the Vereeniging Town Hall on Tuesday where the voting ended in a triumph for Mayor Sipho Radebe after 41 councillors voted to retain him with 33 voting for removal and 14 spoilt votes cast.
The Premier’s presence was seen as a clear signal on the central role the Sedibeng ANC played last year in Lesufi’s election as Gauteng ANC Chairperson – and thus as Premier – as well as its importance to the ANC’s national and provincial electoral prospects in the upcoming 2024 general election.
It was also a powerful signal of a possible coalition emerging in Emfuleni between the ANC and the EFF, whose councillors apparently did not vote against Radebe this week – decisively with 14 spoilt votes registered.
The ANC and the EFF have been moving closer together nationally for some time and an ANC/EFF coalition government in Emfuleni would thus not come as a surprise.
The no confidence motion came about after increasing tension within the ELM coalition Government of National Unity (GLU) recently exploded in a public outburst by coalition partners who demanded more senior posts.
Two coalition members of the Mayoral Committee, including Vincent Jones of the New Horizon Movement, were subsequently fired as MMC’s by Radebe and a third resigned after they gave notice of their intention to hold a vote of no confidence.
This week’s vote was the second no confidence debate Radebe has survived within a year – in 2022 he emerged strengthened after a motion of no confidence brought by the VF Plus’ Gerda Senekal was also defeated.
