By Doreen Mokgolo
The DA in Gauteng is keen to partner with the ANC in a bid to bring stability and end motions of no confidence in the key metros of Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni, and Tshwane.
The party believes countless motions of no confidence against sitting mayors are not a solution, but weaken service delivery.
Last month, the party collapsed negotiations to build a partnership in the government of provincial unity (GPU) after failing to reach a compromise on its demands.
The party’s federal chairperson, Helen Zille, demanded that executive seats be shared according to the parties’ vote proportion.
As a result, the ANC decided to reach agreements with other political parties, leaving the DA in the cold.
In an interview with Scrolla.Africa, Solly Msimanga, the chairperson of the DA in Gauteng, denied that they had closed the door on working with the ANC.
“We gave the party our conditions, which are still on the table and open for negotiations.
“At this point, we feel that we need to work with the ANC to bring stability to the province,” he said.
Msimanga said the party has written to the ANC in the province to try to find a working solution to motions of no confidence in mayors, irrespective of what parties they belong to.
In the last five months, the ANC has reclaimed leadership in Ekurhuleni and Joburg and is planning its next move in Tshwane.
Last week, Panyaza Lesufi, the Gauteng ANC chairperson, said his party is planning to reclaim the leadership of Tshwane.
A DA-led coalition has been running the metro since the ANC lost control after the 2016 local elections.
Lesufi said the ANC is ready to negotiate. “At any time they [the DA] feel ready to engage with us, our door will be open.
“There are many other political parties like the ACDP who want to engage and work with us in the GPU, and they are welcome.
“Once the talks start, we will call all the GPU partners and agree on how we can work together with the new partners,” he said.
Pictured above: Solly Msimanga, the DA chairperson in Gauteng.
Source: Supplied
