Msimanga not ruling out DA partnership with ANC in Tshwane

Tshwane

Tshwane — The Democratic Alliance (DA) leader in Gauteng, Solly Msimanga, said his party would be willing to work with the African National Congress (ANC) to get Cilliers Brink re-elected as Tshwane mayor.

Brink was ousted from office following a motion of no confidence (MONC) was tabled against him. Brink had been facing criticism from the ANC as well as ActionSA to step down as many felt the DA neglected service delivery in Tshwane townships.

According to The Citizen, Msimanga said his party would be willing to seek assistance from the ANC at a provincial level to see if the two parties can find each other. Despite the ANC tabling the MONC against Brink, Msimanga was sure there was no agreement between ActionSA and ANC.

“That says there is no agreement,” Msimanga said.

He confirmed that the DA had appealed to the ANC to withdraw the motion of no confidence against Brink, but the request was declined.

He said it was in the best interests of the ANC to negotiate with the DA as it had also initiated discussions in other municipalities in the country.

“In eThekwini they want to run the municipality and they need our assistance. They are now talking to us about what is happening in Nelson Mandela Bay and mentioned several municipalities in the North West,” he said.

Msimanga denied that the DA was in secret negotiations to remove ActionSA from the City of Tshwane and that ActionSA had split from them, not the other way around.

Brink said that the ANC was requested to remove the MONC so the future of the city could be discussed. He said it may not have led to a coalition agreement or stability pact but would have given more time to reflect on the future.

Brink said he was disappointed by the ANC’s actions.

“According to their provincial secretary, there is no plan. So, you bring down a government and what now? That kind of thing must end,” he said.

As reported to TimesLIVE, Brink said that despite his removal from office, he was committed to being part of an effective opposition.

“To the residents of Tshwane, I want to tell you I will not abandon you and the DA will not abandon you. We are staying in the city. In these difficult circumstances, we will play the role of an effective opposition. That is my commitment to you,” he said.

Brink said the DA has a significant role to play to ensure the city did not collapse, and said the ANC’s actions were the “anti-government of national unity (GNU). He was also sure the ANC would not want to work with the DA.

“It’s bizarre that the ANC, despite repeated attempts to get them to withdraw the motion of no confidence, would behave in the way they did and suddenly want to work with us. Was what they said in council true or not? If it’s not true, why did they go ahead with the motion of no confidence despite repeated attempts to persuade them not to do so?” he said.

He added that he has not had good faith in the ANC and they looked too happy with the EFF and its actions.

“I’m not sure what the future holds for the city but we will act in the best interest of residents. It’s not about me; it’s about the residents of Tshwane and having a functioning metro,” he added.

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Compiled by Matthew Petersen

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