Put differences aside and do jobs

COALITION governments are by their very nature tricky arrangements. The coming together of different political parties – often with divergent ideologies – to form an effective administration is often precarious at best.

Therefore there can be no surprise at the news that cracks in the DA-UDM-COPE and ACDP coalition government in Nelson Mandela Bay have begun to show.

Although those involved in the coalition pact have publicly denied any tension between mayor Athol Trollip and his deputy, Mongameli Bobani, in particular, no fewer than five insiders have independently told this newspaper that the relationship between the two was taking strain.

The most divisive issue, according to insiders, was the handling of the decision to block electricity meters of account defaulters without proper consultation between the partners.

Not only did that decision lead to major public backlash, it magnified the political differences between the DA and Bobani’s UDM as well as other opposition parties who accused the deputy mayor of being complicit to what they believe was draconian rule by the DA.

Whether the said tension between the city’s two most senior leaders sets the tone for what we can expect in the next five years is perhaps too early to tell.

What is important however is how these leaders manage themselves and their egos to prevent any kind of instability in governance.

Our city has for several years been on the receiving end of factional fights by the then ruling ANC.

More than any other period in our democracy, those years epitomised how governance can collapse when leaders care more about flexing their political muscle than doing what they were elected to do.

Regardless of what happens to this coalition, what we know for sure is that our city cannot afford another round of instability.

It serves no purpose and ultimately benefits none.

Our economy is ailing, joblessness is rife, crime is out of control and our communities are filthy.

These are issues that should preoccupy those who are elected to office. We expect nothing less from all of them.