ActionSA Welcomes New Mayor Vusumuzi Cyril Xaba and Highlights Concerns Over DA and ANC Coalition

ActionSA extends a warm welcome to the newly elected Mayor of eThekwini, Vusumuzi Cyril Xaba. We hope that Mayor Xaba will faithfully uphold his oath of office and serve the residents of eThekwini with integrity, dedication, and transparency.

It is important to highlight that ActionSA initially nominated the DA’s caucus leader, Thabani Mthethwa, for the Mayoral role, which he declined. This move was part of our ongoing commitment to promote leadership that prioritizes the welfare of residents over political manoeuvring.

However, we are deeply concerned about the subsequent actions of the DA and the ANC.

After declining our nomination, the ANC and the DA reached an understanding to split key positions among their parties. This decision, which will ultimately cost the council more money, has resulted in the separation of the Human Settlement and Infrastructure portfolios to appease the DA and their hunger for power.

This coalition deal will increase expenditure in this department, with the IFP taking Human Settlement and the DA handling Infrastructure, which includes water, sanitation, and electricity.

Additionally, the EFF will take over MPAC.

Each ExCo member securing a position in this arrangement will weaken the opposition in the Municipality, as they each seek their share of the power. Ultimately, this leaves the residents to fend for themselves.

We have witnessed similar actions in the Gauteng Legislature, where the DA withdrew from the grand coalition due to their dissatisfaction over executive positions.

The same happened at the national level, where the DA’s insistence on securing high-ranking positions from coalition partners led to unnecessary friction and political delays.

The current situation in eThekwini is yet another example of the DA prioritising their own political gain over the needs of the residents.

The residents of eThekwini deserve leaders who are committed to service delivery and the betterment of their communities, not those who engage in political squabbles for personal gain.

ActionSA remains committed to prioritising the needs of the people and will continue to be the watchdog in the eThekwini council in an effort to defend the rights of eThekwini residents. The residents of eThekwini deserve nothing less.

We urge Mayor Xaba to break away from the detrimental patterns of political self-interest and to work tirelessly for the benefit of all residents.

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