The ANC’s decision to ditch the DA as a political ally in Tshwane could have an impact on future alliances in other Metros or municipalities where there are discussions about forming governments of unity.
This is according to DA provincial chairperson and KwaZulu-Natal Finance MEC Francois Rodgers on Thursday.
The ANC in Tshwane supported a motion of no confidence that led to the DA’s mayor Cilliers Brink being ousted and replaced on Wednesday by the ActionSA’s Nasiphi Moya.
Moya will be leading a multi-party coalition government that will include the ANC, EFF and other smaller parties.
DA federal leader Helen Zille criticised the move and threatened to pull out of the Government of National Unity (GNU), sparking tension between her party and the ANC.
Rodgers, speaking at a panel discussion hosted by the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Graduate School of Business on Thursday, said he did not think that Brink’s removal would have an impact on the GNU or the Government of Provincial Unity (GPU) in KZN.
The discussion included MEC for Cogta Thulasizwe Buthelezi and Mondli Gungubele, deputy minister of Communications and Digital Technologies.
“What it is going to have an effect on is if there are any other cities, municipalities or metros where there were discussions about the possibility of forming governments of unity.
“It is going to politically affect that, but in no ways, in my opinion, will it destabilise the GPU or the GNU.”
Rodgers said the GNU and the GPU politically, “are two different animals”.
“We are not in the same formula and in the same mix, so if things go south at a national level, we in the province will certainly make sure that things remain on track here,” Rodgers said.
Buthelezi noted that Tshwane has had six mayors in three years.
“The tragedy about the current situation is that it is not based on principle and the people who are going to suffer through the removal of the former mayor are the people of Tshwane.
“The people of Atteridgeville and in Hammanskraal were following a clear programme which Brink had introduced with the then Minister of Water and Sanitation, Senzo Mchunu, to upgrade the water treatment works and it was beginning to show fruit.”
Buthelezi said ActionSA, which he described as a one-man party, had upset the apple cart.
“To show political opportunism, they then compromise service delivery,” Buthelezi said.
Gungubele said the intervention that had taken place in Tshwane should be given a chance.
“During these elections, despite the ANC having performed badly, it got better results in townships (Mamelodi and Atteridgeville) because they remembered what the ANC did when it was in control of that city.”
He said the parties in the GNU must be forward looking and not dwell on the past. Political analyst Zakhele Ndlovu said without effective and ethical leadership, the GNU would struggle to address the core issues of poor service delivery and bad governance in the country.
“There is a glimmer of hope if the GNU embraces accountable and ethical leadership, there is potential for positive change.”
Melanie Veness, CEO of the Pietermaritzburg and Midlands Chamber of Commerce, said the perceived political stability of the GNU had boosted business confidence.
“There is economic optimism but it is cautiously optimistic at this point in time because there is a perception there is some fragility to the GNU. We need business-friendly policies and a favourable environment for business to operate.”
Veness said the GNU should also give further impetus to business in high priority areas like energy, security, logistics and deal with crime and corruption.
The Mercury