Ekurhuleni Mayor Nkosingiphile Xhakaza has given ActionSA councillor Xolani Khumalo and EFF councillors Thembi Msane and Leshaka Manamela until the end of the day to accept his invitation to join the mayoral committee.
The three previously rejected the appointments, describing the municipality as corrupt.
Speaking during a swearing-in ceremony in Germiston, Xhakaza said he had consulted both parties regarding the new appointments and expected those appointed to report for duty.
“If they do not show up because of their party’s sudden change of tone… that is why we expect members of the mayoral committee to show up to discharge their work. Those who did not pitch, we are giving them until the end of the day — 12 hours,” he said.
However, ActionSA national communications director Matthew George dismissed claims that the party had accepted the position on behalf of Khumalo.
“This statement is entirely fabricated and does not reflect any engagement or agreement involving ActionSA,” he said.
George added that the party had repeatedly rejected invitations to join the mayor’s administration.
“Following repeated and unsuccessful attempts by Mayor Xhakaza to solicit ActionSA’s participation in his administration, I have consistently made it clear that we will not join his failing government and have rejected every personal and formal approach made to us. Our position has been very clear on every occasion that we will not lend credibility to an administration that has overseen the lawlessness and deterioration of service delivery that continues to cripple the city.”
The EFF also rejected the proposal, stating it would take up its role in the opposition benches.
“The EFF informs the people of Ekurhuleni, Gauteng and South Africa that we have declined the offer to form part of the Mayoral Committee in the City of Ekurhuleni and will humbly and gracefully accept our role in the opposition benches.”
Xhakaza insisted that Khumalo had not formally declined the position.
“I have not seen a decline from Xolani. I learnt this morning that he is attending court, something that I was not aware of,” he said.
Khumalo appeared in the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court earlier on Wednesday on charges of assault.
Full list of newly appointed MMCs:
- Metro Utilities (Trading) Services: Jean Sthato
- Metro Operations and Maintenance: Nomadlozi Nkosi
- Human Settlements: Leshaka Manamela
- Development Planning and Real Estate: Dino Peterson
- Roads and Transport: Lindiwe Mnguni
- Community Services and By-Law Enforcement: Xolani Khumalo
- Community Safety: Mzayifani Ngwenya
- Corporate Shared Services: Siphumule Ntombela
- Infrastructure and Economic Development Agency (EDA): Thembi Msane
- Finance and Strategy: Jongizizwe Dlabathi
