The EFF is waiting on the central command structure for a line of march before it dumps the ANC like a hot potato in the eThekwini metro.
The move comes amid deteriorating relations between the two parties.
If this comes to fruition, the eThekwini metro will again be up for grabs.
The red berets plan to set in motion its desire to cut ties with the governing ANC – and opt for a government formed by a potpourri of opposition parties.
Ready to sever ties
The divorce papers will be served on the governing party through its senior councillors in the metro.
Sunday World understands that this is a matter that has been settled.
The move has had the backing of the provincial leadership, conceding that their union with the ANC “was doomed from the start”.
“The relations have severely deteriorated. The ANC is a party that cannot be trusted. We have been treated with arrogance.
“Besides, we have never wanted to work with them, but were coerced by national.
“Even now, we’re waiting on the central command team to give us the line of march,” said an EFF senior leader in KwaZulu-Natal not authorised to speak to the media.
Strained relations
Sunday World has also learnt that relations between the EFF and the ANC in KZN have always been strained, with the governing party’s provincial executive committee holding the red berets in contempt.
The EFF, during the eThekwini council sitting, called for the resignation of the municipal manager, Musa Mbhele and mayor Mxolisi Kaunda, citing incompetence.
But this was shot down by the ANC’s majority.
“We have given the ANC PEC strict instructions and conditions that if they have an interest in continuing to run eThekwini, the mayor and his city manager must vacate their positions as a matter of urgency,” said the councillor.
ANC unfazed
But the ANC KZN secretary Bheki Mtolo this week came out guns blazing.
He said his party will not be hounded and coerced into submission by the EFF.
“They must do whatever they want because the ANC doesn’t mind being on the opposition benches.
“The ANC will engage with EFF… to assess whether the coalition is still viable in its current form,” said Mtolo.
Mtolo also added that the governing party would not associate itself with a coalition partner that behaves like hooligans.
He added that the behaviour is always driven by a desire to hog newspaper headlines.
“We understand the EFF is courting other opposition parties, mainly the IFP, to form a government led by opposition parties.”
What is at stake if the divorce happens
The ANC oversees the metro through the help of the EFF and the National Freedom Party (NFP).
This is excluding the DA and the IFP – two of the biggest parties in the council.
Under this arrangement, the ANC holds the mayorship, and the EFF holds the position of speaker. The NFP’s Zandile Myeni serves as deputy mayor.
The EFF’s caucus leader, Themba Mvubu, occupies a critical portfolio of MMC for infrastructure and human settlements.
The portfolio controls a chunk of the metro’s budget.
The EFF was not available for comment at the time of publication.
