JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – JULY 06: Karima Brown during the protest against SABC COO Hlaudi Motsoeneng outside the Auckland studios on July 06, 2016 in Johannesburg, South Africa. The SACP lashed out at Motsoeneng for using the 90% local quota to “divide workers in the creative industries and to sow confusion among the public – Photo: Gallo Images / Beeld / Felix Dlangamandla
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – JULY 06: Karima Brown during the protest against SABC COO Hlaudi Motsoeneng outside the Auckland studios on July 06, 2016 in Johannesburg, South Africa. The SACP lashed out at Motsoeneng for using the 90% local quota to “divide workers in the creative industries and to sow confusion among the public – Photo: Gallo Images / Beeld / Felix Dlangamandla
As the DA approach the four-hour delay mark for Mmusi Maimane’s alleged “resignation conference”, political reporters have to fill the airwaves somehow. Karima Brown, in her desperate pursuit for information, may have inadvertently incurred the wrath of Midvaal Mayor Bongani Baloyi.
Midvaal Mayor clashes with Karima Brown
The DA representative is fuming with the veteran journalist, and he disputes her version of events. Brown told viewers that Baloyi is being touted as the party’s “interim leader” to replace Maimane. Baloyi’s done a decent job in the municipality, which has been voted as one of the best-run in Gauteng.
However, Midvaal’s man in charge didn’t take too kindly to the suggestion:
“I note with great concern and confusion after watching the eNCA interview with political analyst Karima Brown, where she claimed that ‘she was reliably informed’ that I was approached to be the interim leader of the and I declined the offer”.
This is not true. In fact, it is nonsense. That’s fueling unfounded speculation. No one approached me and had any discussion with me about what her ‘reliable source’ claimed.”
Bongani Baloyi
Who could replace Mmusi Maimane
Speculation is rife over who could replace Mmusi Maimane, if his resignation comes to fruition this evening. Karima Brown has also suggested that the delay for the briefing has been caused by senior DA figures trying to persuade their leader of five years to remain in his position. This remains unverified on our side, though.
Alan Winde, the man who has been Premier of the Western Cape, has been touted as a long-term replacement for Maimane. Meanwhile, John Steenhuisen’s name has been mentioned in this debate before. Yet nothing concrete is in place – and, as of 17:00 SAST on Wednesday, that includes Mmusi Maimane’s departure.
Mmusi Maimane “running on Zuma time”
The 39-year-old has been accused of doing his best “Jacob Zuma” impression: Msholozi was famously – and, irritatingly – late for almost every public engagement he attended. Now Mmusi Maimane, in what could be his last press conference as the DA leader, has mirrored his behaviour. We probably won’t see his signature chuckle, though.
Mmusi Maimane with Jacob Zuma tendencies keeping us waiting for his resignation #MmusiMaimane
— eMabovini? (@Ndumisombovu77) October 23, 2019
Maimane’s descent has accelerated quickly. As we reported earlier, his support for Herman Mashaba and a recently-released evaluation of his leadership qualities – which was scathing from start to finish – seems to have moved his departure along at a rapid pace.
