By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Executive Mayor of Ekurhuleni Nkosidiphile Xhakaza has remained tight-lipped about the future relationship between the African National Congress (ANC) and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in the city.
Xhakaza said their main priority was to provide services to the city residents.
“It has been challenging, however, through performance agreements, strategic planning, and open communication, we are fostering a cohesive and collaborative working environment,” he said.
The coalition working arrangement between the EFF and ANC it seems broken down after the red berets refused to support the ANC-backed 15-year loan from Agence Française de Développement in the city of Joburg.
The two parties have worked together in the metros since 2022 after no party won an outright majority with each party sharing MMC positions.
Addressing the media on Wednesday, Xhakaza said the ANC-led coalition government would focus on stabilising the city’s financial position after it received an unqualified report with findings from the Auditor General of South Africa for the period during which EFF financial MMC Nkululeko Dunga was in office.
Xhakaza was elected as mayor unopposed on 11 April and re-appointed Dunga to the finance portfolio.
He removed Dunga from office last month, citing “misalignments” and said that the decision had been encouraged by the “outcry from opposition parties that called for the axing of Dunga”.
Xhakaza replaced Dunga with Jongizizwe Dlabathi on Tuesday.
Dlabathi had been critical of Dunga’s actions as the MMC of finance and has accused the EFF leadership of using taxpayers’ money for their personal use.
Speaking at the media briefing on Wednesday, Dlabathi said he would clamp down on fruitless and wasteful expenditure in the metro and improve performance in areas where his predecessor failed.
Service delivery shortfalls in the municipality have been attributed to irregular expenditure of funds.
“We will deal with the issue of recovering, as well as rebuilding a strong financial position for the city. You will know that, for some time, we have raised concerns over the financial position of the city. We are now at the helm to ensure that we bring about financial sustainability,” he said.
Dunga said he did not expect the city to improve under Xhakaza because the current mayoral council was still addressing problems created by former mayor, Mzwandile Masina.
Xhathaza expressed confidence in Dlabathi, saying that he will lead and deliver on his duties.
The Ekurhuleni council has 224 seats, with the ANC holding 86, the DA 65, EFF 31, ActionSA 15, Freedom Front Plus 8, IFP 2 and the ACDP 2. Smaller parties hold 10 seats.
The EFF remains in charge of three portfolios — environmental resources & waste management MMC Leshaka Manamela; community services MMC Bridget Thusi; and human settlements MMC Kgopelo Hollo.