ANC guns for Msimanga
In a move aimed at dislodging the Democratic Alliance (DA) from power in Tshwane, the ANC in Gauteng plans to table a motion of no confidence in mayor Solly Msimanga on Thursday and call for fresh elections.
Addressing a media briefing in Johannesburg yesterday, ANC Gauteng deputy chairperson Panyaza Lesufi said the move was sparked by the Tshwane municipality “not being functional” and “needing assistance”.
He said fresh elections would make it possible “for people of Tshwane to elect a government of their choice that will restore the damage that has been caused by the DA-led coalition in the city”.
“We call on all parties in council that are opposed to corruption and maladministration to support this motion,” said Lesufi.
“It is quite clear in Tshwane that the people of the city have been let down in a big way due to the dysfunctional coalition government which has put the municipality under tremendous pressure as the coalition partners battle to avoid disintegration.”
He said there was lack of service delivery in DA-led metros of Tshwane, Johannesburg and Nelson Mandela.
Responding to the ANC move, the DA described the decision as “a cheap political gimmick defying the voters’ choice”.
Said DA national spokesperson Solly Malatsi: “This latest political gimmick by the ANC is ironic considering that the people of Tshwane in the 2016 local government elections, elected a government of their choice and voted the ANC out of power.
“The residents of Tshwane gave a mandate for the DA and other opposition parties to form a coalition government to administrate the business of the city and deliver services to its residents.
“While the ANC continues to destabilise legitimate and democratically established governments in our metros, we will continue to do the work of bringing tangible change and building one South Africa for all."
Malatsi said over the past two years in the City of Johannesburg and the City of Tshwane, mayors Herman Mashaba and Solly Msimanga “uncovered 22 years of billions in rands of looting, corruption and abuse of the people’s money to fund the ANC’s elections”.
It is clear the people of the city have been let down due to the dysfunctional coalition government which has put the municipality under tremendous pressure.
Panyaza Lesufi ANC Gauteng deputy chairperson