THE back-door takeover of the Joburg Metro by the ANC has cast a different light on coalition governments, which are expected to be the order of the day after the 2024 elections.
It’s an open debate about who is to blame for the toppling of Mpho Phalatse as mayor, which has seen the ANC’s Dada Morero becoming the new Joburg mayor.
In just a space of a month, the DA-led coalition was dismantled amid rumours of the blue brigade undermining governance partners.
When Vasco da Gama was ousted as speaker through a motion of no confidence at the beginning of last month, it became clear that the DA’s days at the helm of Joburg were numbered.
The removal of Da Gama gave rise to allegations that the ANC had bribed some of the DA’s coalition partners.
Questions have to be asked about whether this move is in the best interest of the residents and service delivery – or whether the people have been given the middle finger.
The fact is that the ANC, which was rejected by the voters, is now in charge. and there are clear signs that Ekurhuleni’s former mayor Mzwandile Masina will be back in charge.
The bribery allegations led to DA, Patriotic Alliance (PA), Inkatha Freedom Party and ActionSA running to the Hillbrow Police Station to lay a criminal complaint.
Though these parties came together in the opening of a case, things started going sour between them when the minority parties suggested that power should be shared, and an IFP councillor should be voted speaker.
According to the leaders of the minority parties, the disrespect of the DA is what made them to reconsider their relationship.
These smaller parties after the elections vowed that they will never put the ANC in power, but things have now changed.
Morero is now the mayor, while Cope’s Colleen Makhubela, who swiftly tabled a motion against Phalatse, was elected speaker last week.
In a desperate attempt to prolong her stay as mayor, Phalatse took to social media and pleaded with residents to help her.
When that didn’t materialise, she approached the South Gauteng High Court to try to interdict the council meeting that sent her packing, but the matter was flung out of court.
Speculation is now rife that the same modus operandi might be used to bring back Mzwandile Masina as mayor of Ekurhuleni.
But PA deputy president, Kenny Kunene, said they don’t have a blanket agreement with the ANC. He saidit didn’t mean that just because they’re together in Joburg, the same would apply in other municipalities.
