EFF, ANC to oppose Tshwane deputy mayor plan

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the African National Congress (ANC) will vote against the proposed candidate for deputy mayor for the City of Tshwane, citing wasteful expenditure and appeasing their coalition partner, ActionSA.

Other political parties such as the ANC are expected to join the EFF. Attempts to reach the ANC were unsuccessful.

According to Timeslive, EFF regional chairperson Obakeng Ramabodu, said ActionSA was fulfilling personal agendas and the appointment of a Tshwane deputy mayor would put a strain on a municipal budget.

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‘NOT NECESSARY TO APPOINT SUCH POSITION’

“Since its inception on December 5 2000 the city has not found it necessary to appoint such a position, leading to the question of the motives behind this consideration. Concerns arise that this move may be a strategy to fulfil personal agendas and a sense of entitlement to political positions,” he said.

The EFF said that a Tshwane deputy mayor would impose unwarranted strain on a municipal budget that was already under pressure and the resources earmarked for this role would be better allocated to urgent needs such as enhancing service delivery.

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EFF: RESOURCES WOULD BE BETTER USED FOR SERVICE DELIVERY

“The resources earmarked for this role would be better allocated to urgent needs such as enhancing service delivery, developing infrastructure and implementing social advancement initiatives,” Ramabodu said.

He said the municipality has accrued significant debt to Eskom due to its inability to efficiently manage revenue collection, electricity distribution, municipal administration and payments to creditors.

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ACTIONSA: TSHWANE DEPUTY MAYOR VITAL FOR SERVICE DELIVERY

ActionSA’s spokesperson, Samkelo Mgobozi, said the party had consistently been advocating for the need for a deputy mayor in order to ensure that the principles of co-governance were applied.

“The election of deputy mayor is imperative in order to stave off a replay of previous government missteps concerning pressing matters such as the workers’ strike and the Rooiwal wastewater treatment saga,” he said.

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