Thousands back AfriForum petition opposing ANC-EFF coalition in Tshwane
AfriForum warns that the Tshwane metro will descend into chaos and dysfunction if ActionSA joins forces with the ANC and EFF.
Civil rights group AfriForum has submitted a petition opposing the potential coalition between the African National Congress (ANC), Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), and ActionSA in the City of Tshwane.
The petition has been signed by over 17 000 people was started after the ANC filed a motion of no confidence in current mayor and Democratic Alliance (DA) councillor Cilliers Brink.
AFRIFORUM DISAPPROVES OF TSHWANE COALITION INVOLVING EFF
The South African previously reported that the ANC and ActionSA recently partnered in the City of Johannesburg, and this move saw Kabelo Gwamanda from Al Jama-ah removed as executive mayor and ActionSA caucus leader Nobuhle Mthembu elected speaker of the council.
In order to govern in the metro, ActionSA and the ANC would have to work with the EFF and other smaller parties as the two parties do not have enough seats to govern on their own.
AfriForum said its appeal follows in response to ActionSA’s announcement at the weekend that the party decided to step away from the coalition with the DA, VF Plus, ACDP and IFP.
The organisation said this greatly increases the threat of a possible coalition with the EFF and ANC.
In light of this, AfriForum has urged ActionSA to reconsider its decision to withdraw from the multiparty coalition.
“Through AfriForum’s petition, residents took an indisputable stand against a possible EFF-ANC coalition and made it clear that they do not want to see the Tshwane metro again prioritise the ANC over its residents,” AfriForum’s Ernst van Zyl said.
MAYOR FILES PAPERS TO PREVENT OUSTING
Initially, the motion against Brink was set to be heard on 30 August, however, he filed court papers to prevent his ousting. It was then rescheduled to Thursday, 26 September.
In the court papers addressed to the speaker of council, Brink’s lawyers asked for the motion to be postponed arguing that he was not given enough time to respond.
“Our client cannot do so between the two days between when you gave him the notice and the council meeting.
“As the executive mayor, our client has the right to know the charges against him and a fair opportunity to take steps to defend himself adequately against them, which requires collecting and preparing evidence and submissions to the council.”