Zille’s ultimatum: Bring back Cilliers Brink or face consequences, ANC warned

Helen Zille

Cape Town – The Democratic Alliance (DA) is demanding the reinstatement of Cilliers Brink as Tshwane mayor after his ousting in a no-confidence vote by 120 councillors, while 87 opposed it.

DA federal council chairperson Helen Zille issued an ultimatum to the ANC, warning that without Brink’s return, the DA will not engage in discussions about stabilising other hung metros before the 2026 municipal elections.

“The reason is that the [Panyaza] Lesufi faction rules Gauteng, and they ignore their national leadership. The other reason is that ActionSA betrayed the coalition.

“I am aware of the significant efforts you both made over the past two weeks to persuade your Gauteng colleagues to facilitate a wide-ranging ‘stability pact’ involving a range of hung metro councils in the run-up to the local government elections in 2026,” Zille wrote ina letter dated 27 September to ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula and the party’s lead coalition negotiator, David Makhura, according to News24.

Earlier in the week, Zille described the removal of Brinl as a “tragedy”, warning that it would negatively affect South Africa and the Government of National Unity (GNU).

Zille said that the motion against Brink was politically motivated.

“Cilliers Brink may be facing his last day as mayor of Tshwane. This is a tragedy, not only for South Africa and the government of national unity. The irony is that the motion has been brought against Cilliers not because he’s doing badly, but because he is doing well.

“His opponents would rather destroy our capital city’s chances of recovery and undermine the government of national unity than allow him to succeed and show what is possible,” Zille said.

She criticised those pushing for his ousting, calling it a political vendetta that harms the country’s future.

“People who pursue their own political vendettas at the cost of the future of all South Africans. Internationally, the spirit of cooperation in the Government of National Unity has brought new hope, new investment, new prospects for growth and jobs.

“But tragically, there are those who are pulling against that spirit, and if they succeed in voting out Cilliers Brink on the 26th of September, South Africa will suffer. It will be a great setback. Anybody who wants a better future for our whole country will back Cilliers Brink,” said Zille.

Zille criticised the ANC’s Gauteng leadership and blamed ActionSA for betraying the coalition.

Meanwhile, accordint to The Citizen, the ANC accused the DA of trying to create divisions within the party.

The Tshwane council has 14 days to elect a new mayor, with both the DA and ActionSA set to field candidates.

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Compiled by Betha Madhomu

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