ActionSA demands axing of Joburg mayor as condition for ANC partnership
ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba on Monday outlined the party’s conditions for partnering with the ANC in Johannesburg.
The demands include the removal of Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda, the cancellation of the R200 electricity surcharge, the reclamation of hijacked buildings for affordable housing, and support for electing an ActionSA speaker in Tshwane.
Despite previous vows to never work with the ANC, Mashaba insisted that the partnership is key to the rooting out of corruption in Johannesburg.
"We had been engaged by our councillors who are deeply concerned about the deeply declining condition of the metros in Gauteng, particularly in Ekurhuleni, in Johannesburg and are seized by the point of view that coalition dynamics in South Africa at present has ActionSA sitting on the sidelines at a time in which people require us to be assisting them.
“Especially given when you consider the number of seats ActionSA has in a place like Johannesburg. These seats need to be put to effective use."
Action SA Chairperson Michael Beaumont confirmed the ANC approached them to discuss a working relationship.
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Beaumont told a press briefing in Rosebank that the party's senate met over the weekend to discuss their position.
It comes amid growing calls for Gwamanda's resignation.
Gwamanda, a member of Al Jama-ah, defended the R200 electricity surcharge that has residents up in arms earlier this month.
Mashaba described Gwamanda's tenure as a failure.
“The only way we are really prepared to support you (the ANC), we need the removal of this mayor. We want the withdrawal of this R200 electricity charge by City Power.
“There is money that City Power can collect from illegal connections and so forth. Why then punish law-abiding citizens? So, we say this must obviously be withdrawn.
“We also made it clear to them, and I think I'm very clear, and I think I'm very pleased that the premier is fully behind the inner-city rejuvenation plan for the provision of affordable housing for South Africans,” said Mashaba.
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