Staff Reporter.
The Patriotic Alliance (PA) signed the DA-led coalition agreement for the Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni metros in Gauteng.
The multi-party agreement, which was signed in Ekurhuleni on Tuesday, seeks a clear majority in favour of the DA in council, leaving the ANC and EFF out in the cold.
PA leader Gayton McKenzie reiterated that the party is willing to work with any party to ensure services are delivered to residents.
“We’ve been very clear. I think we are the only party which doesn’t care who it works with. We even went to the extent to say that we don’t care even if we work with the AWB.
“For us we should not bring personalities into politics. South African politics is full of personalities who don’t want to work with those who don’t like that person.”
The agreement sees the PA heading up two vital departments in both councils.
“What we have we will be heading the Human Settlements portfolio in Ekurhuleni and we will be heading Health in Ekurhuleni and the City of Joburg,” said McKenzie.
“There will be pressure for us to act the way that we have spoken. To go around and make sure that people do their work because we have been outside criticising the coalition and now we have to walk the talk.”
The coalition agreement has notably excluded the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).
The EFF backed the DA’s candidates following the elections which saw Mpho Phalatse elected as mayor of Johannesburg, while Tania Campbell and Randall Williams took over Ekurhuleni and Tshwane respectively.
Earlier this month, the coalition partners accused ActionSA of advocating for the EFF to be part of the multi-party governments despite an agreement to exclude the party.