Competition for credit continues over the bestowing of the City of Ekurhuleni with two audit awards by the South African Local Government Association. On Tuesday the EFF said awards were proof that its provincial chairperson Nkululeko Dunga who was recently removed as a Member of the Mayoral Committee was not incompetent as alleged by newly elected mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza who claimed so when removing Dunga.
“This not only demonstrates the EFF’s commitment to running a clean government wherever
it is involved but also dispels the propaganda and lies perpetuated regarding the financial
status of the Metro under the EFF. It further exposes the fact that Executive Mayor Xhakaza’s
decision to remove the EFF MMC was motivated purely by political jealousy and sinister
intentions, and not in the best interests of the people and the municipality,” said the EFF in a statement released by provincial spokesperson Dumisani Baleni.
On Wednesday Dunga’s replacement, Jongizizwe Dlabathi who also serves as the ANC regional convener said no individual councillor could claim credit for the awards nor for the municipality’s financial stability which he argues are all a result of systems set up by the ANC which whoever occupies portfolios at specific points are expected to sustain.
“The audit awards are all due to the ANC having put in place systems to ensure sound financial management, a clear posture on corruption and wasteful expenditure so its really not a particular MMC who achieved this,” said Dlabathi during a media briefing at the municipal offices in Germiston.
The competition for credit comes as the metro’s coalition government which includes both the ANC and EFF faces uncertainty following the formation of the Government of National Unity which in contrast has the DA, Freedom Front Plus and IFP as the ANC’s main partner.
On Wednesday Xhakaza was adamant that the coalition was relatively stable but also suggested the ANC may soon decide on whether to continue the relationship with the red berets.
“The coalition is stable. We have agreed performance targets for all the MMCs which members of the media will be invited to witness the signing of so we try to prioritise service delivery to the people but at political level they may be issues that I may not be able to comment on on this platform save to say that over the weekend the ANC NEC is expected to brief structures in the region which will include an opportunity for engagement,” said Xhakaza.
The EFF had threatened to collapse governments in Ekurhuleni, City of Joburg and Mogale City if Dunga is not reinstated but has never made good on that threat.