Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Nonkululeko Njilo
Published on 2024-04-03 22:06:17
The upcoming council meeting in the City of Ekurhuleni on Thursday, 4 April, is set to determine the election of the fourth executive mayor within a short span of less than four years. This meeting holds significant importance as the four major political parties in the region, namely the ANC, DA, EFF, and ActionSA, are currently engaged in separate discussions to endorse their respective candidates for the mayoral position. None of these parties possess the majority required to unilaterally appoint a mayor.
The city, a pivotal contributor to the economy of Gauteng and South Africa, was under the governance of a DA-led coalition following the 2021 local government elections. However, in March 2023, the ANC, EFF, and their allies successfully elected Sivuyile Ngodwana from the African Independent Congress as the new mayor, replacing the DA’s Tania Campbell. The constant reshuffling of mayoral positions continued when Ngodwana was ousted through a vote of no-confidence in March 2024.
The current state of fractured alliances among the political parties in Ekurhuleni has led to a challenging situation where ActionSA is putting forward its candidate, Siyanda Makhubo, for the mayoral role. ActionSA aims to rectify the perceived shortcomings of the previous ANC and EFF coalition government by focusing on stabilizing finances, implementing institutional reforms, and enhancing service delivery to residents. On the contrary, the DA advocates for the dissolution of the council and the initiation of fresh elections to address the city’s issues effectively.
The ANC, on the other hand, is expected to nominate Jongizizwe Dlabathi, their chief whip and regional chairperson, for the mayoral position, emphasizing their experience and majority presence in the council. However, the EFF opposes this move and argues for the mayoral candidate to emerge from the minority parties to safeguard democratic principles.
The financial decline of Ekurhuleni over the years has exacerbated the challenges facing the region. The city received adverse audit opinions and was plagued by irregular expenditures and weak internal controls concerning contract and procurement systems. Moody’s recent downgrade of Ekurhuleni’s credit ratings to “junk” status further underscores the pressing need for effective governance and financial management in the municipality.
As Thursday’s council meeting approaches, the political landscape in Ekurhuleni remains uncertain, with ongoing negotiations and consultations determining the next mayor. The outcome of this election will have far-reaching implications for the future direction of the city and its residents.
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