Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
We’re not really working with the ANC – EFF
THE ANC and the EFF have denied reports the parties are working together in Western Cape after the EFF supported the ANC in ending the DA’s reign in the Knysna Municipality.
A vote of no confidence against Mayor Levael Davis and his deputy, Mark Willemse, was tabled by the ANC, Patriotic Alliance (PA) and Plaaslike Besorgde Inwoners (PBI), carrying 11 votes in support of it and 10 against. The EFF is also part of the new coalition.
The ANC’s Aubrey Tsengwa took the coveted mayoral chain.
The PBI’s Alberto Marbi was elected deputy speaker and Mncebisi Skosana of the ANC as the new speaker.
“We are not working with the ANC per se,” said EFF leader in Western Cape, Melikhaya Xego. “We are dealing with the DA’s arrogance. They have not done anything for poor people in Knysna and they did not have a stable administration. A number of officials were acting.”
The EFF saved the DA in the last vote of no confidence by deciding to abstain from voting.
“The condition with the ANC is that it must do better than the DA,” said Xego.
In the local government elections in November last year, the DA won most seats, but not a majority. Since then it has governed in a coalition.
The DA is in trouble in a number of municipalities, starting with Nelson Mandela Bay. Most recently its speaker in the Joburg council was removed in a vote of no confidence.
“There is no formal coalition agreement (with the EFF),” said ANC Western Cape spokesperson Sifiso Mtsweni. “What is happening is that people are waking up to the reality that the DA is a fuss. It cannot keep its promises to its coalition partners.”
He accused the DA of being hypocrites for working with the Independent Civic Organisation of South Africa (Icosa) in Kannaland while it made noises when the ANC did the same.
The ANC withdrew its participation in a coalition with the convicted child rapist mayor of Kannaland Jeffrey Donson and his deputy, convicted fraudster Werner Meshoa.
“DA’s interest is to govern at all costs. People have now seen they are hypocrites and liars,” said Mtsweni.
Dion George, the DA’s constituency
head in Knysna, said a coalition of corruption removed the DA-led coalition government in Knysna.
“The motions of no confidence that passed in council have nothing to do with service delivery and everything to do with narrow self-interest. A coalition of corruption has been cobbled together to loot and steal whatever might be left after the previous ANC government looted our town.”
PA president Gayton McKenzie sent a warning to other parties in the Joburg council that, should its councillors be removed from their mayoral committee roles, they would also act.
“A touch is (a) move,” he said. This might affect coalitions in other municipalities.