Photo: Sboniso Mngadi
Photo: Sboniso Mngadi
Things have taken a salacious turn in eThekwini, after the ANC saw their prospects of retaining the metro increase on Wednesday afternoon. It’s understood that several councillors from minor parties will now back the ruling party, after it seemed nailed on the DA would claim yet another major city at the ANC’s expense.
eThekwini council latest: Who will take charge of the metro?
The delayed council meeting, which was initially held on Monday, resumed earlier today. Whereas the DA has the support of the IFP, DA, and EFF, the ANC has utilised the delay caused by its supporters to shore up their tactics.
PG Mavundla, of the Abanthu Batho Congress, is understood to be in the frame to serve in the ANC’s Executive Committee, should he help get them elected in eThekwini – and there could even be a deputy mayorship position waiting for him. What is more, the deal means that the ANC are two council seats closer to securing a frail majority in the metro, but opponents suspect foul play.
ANC angered by ‘cash for votes’ accusations
Dean Macpherson, a shadow minister for the DA and avid party campaigner in KZN, has accused the ANC of ‘throwing money around’ to secure eThekwini. However, Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula branded these claims as ‘wild’:
Where Dean ? Did they approach you? This will remain wild if its not backedup by concrete evidence.
— FIKILE MBALULA | MR FIX (@MbalulaFikile) November 24, 2021
Who needs what in eThekwini?
The successful mayoral candidate nominated on Wednesday needs to get 112 votes or more to secure leadership of the council. What looked like a DA slam-dunk just hours ago could possibly swing back in the ANC’s favour.
The numbers are extremely treacherous, though. The DA have the support of the EFF, IFP, ActionSA, and FF Plus, putting them on 103 seats. The ANC is backed by AIC, Al-Jamah, and the ABC – putting them on 101 seats.
There are a further 14 council seats to allocate, and the DA would need to take nine of them to get their candidate elected. The task is more difficult for the ANC, who must convince 11 of the 14 undecided councillors to side with them.
It seems like ABC (PG Mavundla) is going with the ANC
— Wayne Sussman (@waynesussman) November 24, 2021
In that case.
eThekwini Numbers
ANC/AIC/Al-Jamah/ABC-101
DA/EFF/IFP/ActionSA/VF-103
Magical number is 112 as there are 222 seats.
Unallocated- 14 seats
2 parties with 2 seats each
12 additional parties with 1 seat each!
