Ekurhuleni Mayor Must Resign for ANC-EFF Coalition to Return

-

The political landscape in Gauteng has hit a stalemate as Nkululeko Dunga, the Provincial Chairperson of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), declared a firm condition for any future cooperation with the African National Congress (ANC). Dunga stated that the Red Berets will not consider reentering a cooperation agreement or a coalition government within the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality unless the current Mayor, Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, tenders his resignation. This ultimatum follows months of fractured relations and public disagreements between the two parties over the governance and financial management of the city.

The friction between the ANC and EFF in Ekurhuleni reached a boiling point after the collapse of their previous power sharing arrangement, which saw EFF members holding key Mayoral Committee positions. Dunga, who previously served as the MMC for Finance, was removed from his post by Mayor Xhakaza, a move the EFF viewed as a betrayal of their working relationship. The EFF maintains that under Xhakaza’s leadership, the municipality has failed to prioritize service delivery for the poor, leading them to demand a fresh start with a new leader at the helm.

While the ANC remains the largest party in the council, they lack an outright majority, making the support of a partner like the EFF crucial for passing budgets and maintaining a stable executive. The ANC provincial leadership has expressed a desire to  stabilize the metros through broad coalitions, but the EFF's demand for the Mayor’s head creates a significant hurdle. If the ANC refuses to sacrifice Xhakaza, the metro could face continued governance instability, potentially leading to a motion of no confidence or even an intervention from the provincial government.

As negotiations continue behind closed doors, the residents of Ekurhuleni are the ones caught in the middle of this political tug of war. Essential services, including waste collection and infrastructure maintenance, have faced disruptions amid the administrative uncertainty. The coming weeks will be a major test for both Dunga’s resolve and the ANC’s willingness to compromise. Whether a new coalition emerges or the city remains in a state of political limbo depends entirely on whether the ANC is willing to meet the EFF’s high stakes demand.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Varun Beverages Acquires South Africa’s Twizza in 125 Million Deal to Expand African Presence

-
Image
Varun Beverages Ltd (VBL), one of the largest franchisees of PepsiCo globally, has announced the acquisition of South African beverage manufacturer Twizza Proprietary Limited for approximately 125 million. The move marks a strategic step toward strengthening VBL’s presence in Africa, a region the company views as a key growth market.  The deal includes three manufacturing plants operated by Twizza, which is known for its backward-integrated production model of non-alcoholic beverages. This acquisition enables VBL to expand its production capacity, distribution network, and market share across Southern Africa. VBL, which already has a significant footprint in beverages and snacks, is diversifying further. The company recently entered a distribution agreement with Carlsberg for beer in select Indian states, signaling its interest in expanding across both alcoholic and non-alcoholic segments. With domestic growth in India facing temporary slowdowns due to macroeconomic and climatic fa...
Read more

South Africa Maintains Position as Africa’s Wealthiest Nation with 410 Billion GDP

-
Image
South Africa has retained its title as Africa’s richest country by total wealth, with a gross domestic product (GDP) of approximately 410 billion, according to recent data from Henley & Partners. The nation remains a continental leader in both economic size and personal wealth, hosting more than 41,000 millionaires and eight billionaires, the highest concentration in Africa. Analysts attribute this economic strength to a combination of ongoing reforms, improved energy supply, and significant infrastructure development across key sectors. These measures have helped to restore investor confidence, particularly in urban centers and financial institutions that serve as the backbone of the country's economy. The easing of power shortages, following years of electricity instability, has also contributed to a more favorable investment climate. The government's partnerships with private sector stakeholders in the energy and transport sectors are aimed at enhancing productivity and ...
Read more

Sub‑Saharan Africa Loses 1.11 Billion from Internet Shutdowns in 2025

-
Image
  Sub‑Saharan Africa experienced widespread economic losses in 2025 due to a series of internet shutdowns linked to political tensions, civil conflict, and social unrest. According to data compiled by Top10VPN, the region lost an estimated 1.11 billion in economic activity as governments and authorities restricted connectivity during key moments throughout the year. Tanzania tops the list, incurring the largest single‑country cost of approximately 889.8 million. This figure reflects prolonged connectivity restrictions tied to political controls and regulatory measures. Analysts note that while internet blackouts are sometimes justified by authorities as necessary for security or “stability,” they often disrupt business operations, e‑commerce, banking, and access to essential information, inflicting lasting economic harm. Other countries in the region also saw significant losses due to internet disruptions amid violence and conflict. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, ongoing civi...
Read more