By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has released its coalition framework, which is the document it will be basing its coalition agreements on it.
Among its conditions for partnering with another political party in the wake of the local government elections, is a clause on racism, which it says means any strategic partner must not “reinforce white supremacy and Afrikanerdom”.
The coalition framework was released on Friday evening.
Another of the party’s demands is an understanding that the EFF should “exclusively govern in all municipalities in exchange of others, and where this happens, there should be agreement on oversight functions given to the coalition partner(s).”
Political parties have two weeks to embark on coalition talks before councils are dissolved.
It is believed that the EFF will be meeting with the African National Congress (ANC) Treasure General Paul Mashatile.
This comes ahead of the ANC’s National Working Committee (NWC) on Sunday.
EFF Has Formed A Coalition Negotiations Team And Coalition Framework Of Principles pic.twitter.com/1rcQ9IF9US
— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) November 5, 2021
EFF have formed a team to lead its coalition talks in hung councils, and is demanding agreements on strict service delivery deadlines, and an understanding of its policies and objectives.
The team consists of deputy president Floyd Shivambu, chairperson Veronica Mente, secretary-general Marshall Dlamini, its former chairperson Dali Mpofu, former deputy secretary-general Hlengiwe Mkhaliphi, and former spokesperson Mbuyiseni Ndlozi.
The six-member team is also expected to put down 12-month deadlines on the creation of a state bank, passing of an insourcing bill, cancellation of student debt, provision of free sanitary towels for all, and the provision of free water and electricity to social grants beneficiaries.
The party said, the aftermath of the municipal elections – where the governing ANC lost its majority in various councils, including metros – presented an opportunity to work towards achieving significant gains.
The municipal election results have resulted in coalition governments at a record 66 councils, where no party achieved a majority.
The EFF made inroads in several provinces, but failed to keep its third place in the City of Johannesburg, where former mayor Herman Mashaba’s ActionSA took 16.05% of the votes. The ANC got 33.60%, followed by the DA with 26.14%.