ActionSA setting up DA mayors to fail in the Gauteng metros Brink

Two parties’ relations now at an all-time low —

Relations between ActionSA and the DA continue to deteriorate, placing the future of some of Gauteng’s metros where the parties are coalition partners, in serious threat.

The DA has accused ActionSA of attempting to set up “DA mayors to fail” in running Gauteng municipal government coalitions. This comes after the DA released a scathing statement yesterday morning detailing ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba’s “perplexing politics”, saying the party was positioning itself as an “opposition” inside coalition governments.

On Monday, ActionSA announced it had left the coalition with the DA in Ekurhuleni, criticising the DA-deployed mayor Tanya Campbell of neglecting townships. ActionSA has also been vocal about wanting Tshwane mayor Randall Williams to be disciplined for what it says is meddling in municipal processes in the capital’s R25bn power deal.

Williams was last week cleared of wrongdoing, however, the investigation also concluded that he has a case to answer for having instructed senior officials to endorse a bid proposal by an Australian company, Kratos Consortium, for generating power for the metro.

DA national spokesperson Cilliers Brink made reference to Mashaba’s comments after the recent launch of an ActionSA branch in the Western Cape.

“Mashaba declared that his goal is to bring the DA under 50% in that province. A startling mission statement, especially for a party whose unique selling proposition is its ability to win votes from the ANC and break its stranglehold on politics,” Brink said.

“Why would anyone who is interested in a post-ANC South Africa want to trade in a DA majority government in the Western Cape for the instability and uncertainty of coalitions?” Brink asked.

The DA accused ActionSA of sharing a key strategic objective with the ANC, and illustrated the claim by pointing to the breakdown in Johannesburg coalition.

“In Johannesburg, Mashaba lost interest in the success of the multiparty coalition government the day he realised he wouldn’t be returned as the mayor. His only remaining interest has been to blame the setbacks of the coalition on the DA.

“Waging a low-level election campaign against your own coalition partner, even in peace time, has implications of its own.

“What happens to the trust and collegiality inside these mayoral committees? What message is sent to the often ANCaligned municipal officials who are meant to implement the mandate of the voters?” Brink asked.

The DA accused ActionSA of “sabotaging” the appointment of Johann Mettler, the DA’s preferred candidate for the position of city manager in Johannesburg.

Mettler previously served as city manager in Nelson Mandela Bay before his suspension and subsequent parting of ways with the city before the end of his term. Despite being accused of “arrogance”, the DA maintained it was sticking to the provisions of the original coalition agreement.

“Again, ActionSA led the charge, and provided covering fire for the Patriotic Alliance to clinch a deal with the ANC,” Brink said.