Ekurhuleni has experienced fragile coalition governance since the 2021 Local Government Elections produced no outright majority. The African National Congress (ANC) won 38% of the vote, followed by the Democratic Alliance (DA) at 28% and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) at 13%.
In November 2021, Tania Campbell became Executive Mayor after the DA formed a multiparty coalition. Her administration ended in March 2023 following a successful motion of no confidence, after which the ANC regained control of the metro with support from the EFF at various stages.
The ANC in Ekurhuleni is now leading a minority coalition after Mayor Nkosingiphile Xhakaza announced three additional Members of the Mayoral Committee without the EFF for the first time since the 2021 Local Government Elections. These come after the remaining three appointments from the seven MMCs announced last week.
Last week, Xhakaza gave ActionSA’s Xolani Khumalo, and EFF councillors Thembi Msane and Leshaka Manamela, 12 hours to accept his invitation to serve in the mayoral committee after he publicly announced their appointments.
However, ActionSA declined the offer, stating that it could not join what it described as a failing and corrupt government.
The EFF also rejected the appointments and expressed dissatisfaction after its proposed MMCs were allocated administrative portfolios, which the party viewed as a demotion.
The developments leave the ANC governing without formal coalition backing from the EFF for the first time in this term.
Meanwhile, the municipality currently has no speaker ahead of today’s council meeting, which is expected to consider and pass the adjusted budget.
This follows the appointment of Dora Mlambo as an MMC, after which she resigned as speaker on Thursday.
Following the 2021 Local Government Elections, the ANC secured 38% of the vote in Ekurhuleni, the DA followed with 28%, while the EFF obtained 13%.
