ANC and EFF Clash Over Governance and Loans in Gauteng Metros

Picture courtesy: (Ekhureleni municipality) Tensions continue to rise as Ekurhuleni mayor and ANC member Nkosindiphile Xhakaza has removed Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) provincial chairperson Nkululeko Dunga from his position as metro finance MMC.

(The Post News)- The strained relationship between the ANC and EFF has become a decisive factor in the appointment and dismissal of officials within metropolitan areas.

Ekurhuleni mayor and ANC member Nkosindiphile Xhakaza has removed Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) provincial chairperson Nkululeko Dunga from his position as metro finance MMC

This development follows significant signs of strain in the coalition arrangement between the ANC and EFF in Gauteng metros.

The rift escalated due to the EFF’s refusal to approve a 15-year loan from the Agency Française de Développement, which the ANC supported for Johannesburg.

Since neither party secured an absolute majority in the 2022 metro elections, they have collaborated in these areas, sharing MMC positions.

However, tensions escalated between the ANC and EFF after Ekurhuleni mayor Xhakaza replaced EFF member Nkululeko Dunga with ANC Ekhurhuleni coordinator Jongizizwe Dlabathi as finance MMC.
In retaliation, the Reds, also known as the EFFs, have refused to vote with the ANC in the Johannesburg Council multiple times in recent weeks, including last month when the city’s 2024/25 budget was passed.

An ANC regional executive member stated, “I also suspect that they are using the Ekurhuleni conundrum when the real issues are also the government of national unity (GNU)and Gauteng because national leadership is clear about its posture and outlook towards the EFF.”

According to ANC regional chair, Dada Morero has only now provided the council with a few essential loan facts.

“When he initially brought this issue before the council in April, we think this information ought to have been disclosed,” the spokesperson stated.

Action SA insists that the council should not take a loan that would burden Johannesburg residents for the next 15 years.

“It was acknowledged that the coalition agreement in Ekhureleni has been difficult during a press conference on Wednesday. It has been difficult to manage coalition partners and ensure cooperation from all members of the mayoral committee,” he said.

The EFF stated that we must accept, and they are not going to vote for the loan because of the Ekurhuleni, thus, according to ANC regional head Morero, who claimed that discussions on the issue had reached a dead end.

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Martin Ngobeni

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