The battle of Tshwane and why you should care

In its third motion of no confidence submitted this year in the Tshwane mayor, the ANC said the City was experiencing several challenges because of Cilliers Brink’s inability to provide necessary leadership and political guidance.

ANC councillor Frans Boshielo, who submitted the motion, said the challenges included money to the tune of R6 billion being owed to Eskom and the late submission of five quarterly audit performance committee reports.

If the party succeeds, besides removing Brink, it will also oust the multiparty coalition, which consists of the DA, ActionSA, FF Plus, IFP and the ACDP.

ActionSA is set to hold a senate meeting on Friday to review its position in the Tshwane coalition. The party has struck a deal with the ANC to take over several municipalities. It has already worked with the ANC in Johannesburg to remove former mayor Kabelo Gwamanda.

National chairperson Michael Beaumont says the party is concerned about regression in service delivery, particularly in the townships. He has posted several videos on social media platform X recently to highlight problem areas in the city. Brink has hit back with his own posts about where the City is doing well.

When asked why ActionSA was prepared to leave the current arrangement, party leader Herman Mashaba said he had “completely lost trust in the DA” and described Brink as arrogant.

It’s no secret that the City has faced many challenges over the years. During 2023, the City was quite candid about its severe financial constraints. It struggled to pay its debts to Eskom and Rand Water. A municipal strike further crippled the city.

However, things have appeared to be getting back on track, with the Auditor-General’s recent audit outcome of the City showing an improvement from adverse in 2022 to qualified in 2023. Prior to this, the City received two unqualified audits in 2020 and 2021.

In this week’s Friday Briefing, we reflect on why instability in our local politics could spell disaster for the rest of the country.

Brink puts his case forward for why he believes the current coalition has brought stability to the City.

We approached ActionSA for a submission, but the party declined on the basis that they were awaiting a decision from their senate.

In-depth writer Muhammad Hussian has put together a timeline detailing all the challenges the City has faced since 2021.

In our third submission, News24’s columnist Qaanitah Hunter explains why the government of national unity should be concerned with the political merry-go-round and the constantly shifting allegiances at a local level.

Finally, analyst and News24 columnist Mpumelelo Mkhabela delves into the chameleon-like politics of Herman Mashaba.

Hope you enjoy the read.

Best,

Vanessa Banton

Opinions editor.

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