Zukile Majova
ROAD TO 2024: Since taking office almost 10 months ago, Johannesburg Mayor Mpho Phalatse has been living on borrowed time, writes Zukile Majova
She is leading the biggest coalition government in the history of the country made up of nine political parties.
What makes it even more difficult is the fact that her main protection comes from the EFF which refused to join the coalition government but promised not to form a coalition with the ANC government after the November 2021 municipal elections.
The EFF appears to be singing from a different hymn book now and might support a motion of no confidence against Mayor Phalatse in the coming weeks.
The small parties including the UDM, Cope, Al Jama-ah, PAC, AIC, and ATM say Phalatse disrespected the black community of Soweto by failing to show up for a public meeting with them on two occasions.
A previous attempt to pose a vote of no confidence against Phalatse by the smaller parties was rejected.
The parties flexed their muscles last week and removed DA member and speaker of the council Vasco Da Gama with the help of the ANC and the EFF.
Acting speaker Collen Makhubela, who is a member of Cope which is part of the DA coalition, has accused the DA of not recognising her as a speaker and intimidating her.
As the political bickering gathered steam, the DA opened a criminal case against two ANC councillors who are accused of trying to bribe a councillor with R2 million to vote for the removal of Da Gama.
Trouble is also brewing in Tshwane where Action SA, which helped the DA win the City of Tshwane, believes there is corruption in plans to spend R26 billion on the refurbishment of two power stations Rooiwal and Pretoria West.
Action SA wants Mayor Randall Williams removed and has invited the office of the public protector to investigate the mayor.
The current coalition government in Tshwane is made up of the DA, Action SA, Cope, the Freedom Front Plus and the ACDP.
Image source: @Mayor_Mpho_Phalatse
