EXCLUSIVE: We’ll pull out of Joburg coalition if we don’t get transport MMC post, say EFF and PA
The Patriotic Alliance (PA) and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have threatened to walk away from the ANC-led coalition in Johannesburg should their preferred candidate not be appointed to the vacant transport MMC position.
The PA is demanding that its newly appointed councillor, Liam Jacobs, take over the position, while the EFF demands that community safety MMC Mgcini Tshwaku get the job.
PA sources have told the Mail & Guardian they believe it belongs to their party. They say during the formation of the government of local unity, which governs the City of Johannesburg, an agreement was reached with the ANC that the PA would hold the position for five years.
The PA’s Kenny Kunene resigned as Johannesburg’s transport MMC in July after the party suspended him for a month, pending an investigation into his relationship with Katiso “TK” Molefe, who was arrested for allegedly orchestrating the murder of Oupa Sefoka, popularly known as DJ Sumbody, in 2022.
The coalition running Johannesburg consists of the ANC, EFF, PA, African Independent Congress, Al Jama-ah, African Transformation Movement and the Inkatha Freedom Party.
Of the 270 councillors in the city, 147 are part of the coalition government.
According to sources with intimate information on the issue, both the EFF and PA have written to the ANC demanding that the position be given to them, or they will withdraw from the coalition.
Mayor Dada Morero said the matter was being handled by the party’s provincial task team.
A source from the PA said the party was prepared to walk away from the coalition should its demands not be met.
“It’s our position; we want Liam to take it or we are prepared to leave the coalition,” they said.
But PA spokesperson Steve Motale said the party had not threatened to pull out of the government of local unity in the City of Joburg.
“In terms of specific portfolios, we are still in negotiations with the ANC and will make an announcement once an agreement has been reached,” Motale said.
Despite calls and inquiries sent to both the EFF and the ANC, neither party had responded by the time of publication
