ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba demands that City of Johannesburg mayor Kabelo Gwamanda be released from his position.
This comes after the ANC engaged with opposition parties in the city to collaborate and mount pressure to have Al-Jama Ah’s Gwamanda gone.
Not eyeing executive positions
Mashaba said the City of Johannesburg has been an absolute failure but ActionSA was ready to save it without the party being part of a coalition government. He said the party was not even eyeing MEC positions.
“ActionSA will not enter the executive to co-govern; no coalition agreement will be signed and ActionSA’s support, even for a new mayor, will be provided only on consideration of the merits of the matter,” said Mashaba.
He said ActionSA held a significant number of seats in Johannesburg and these will be used to its advantage in fighting for a better municipality.
“It is for this reason that ActionSA will adopt the role of the constructive opposition, as we have done in parliament in relation to the grand coalition and will make our support available to any government in Johannesburg on an issue-by-issue basis.
Holding government accountable
“To facilitate this constructive opposition role, ActionSA will take up a number of positions in the legislature so that we have the platform to hold any new government to account,” said Mashaba.
The organisation also demands that the municipality drop the R200 electricity surcharge imposed by City Power on prepaid users.
He said ActionSA will also set motions meant for better service delivery, infrastructure renewal and the overall development of the inner city.
Mashaba said while they will be working hand-in-hand with the government to see positive transformation, it should be noted that they are not in a coalition agreement.
“Part of the agreement reached is that the ANC will facilitate the resignation of the current ATM Speaker in the City of Tshwane, reversing the injustice that was perpetrated in this city with the vote-buying that previously transpired.
“This will pave the way for the current governing coalition to hold this seat as intended with an ActionSA representative that will bring stability to this vital role and enhance our ability to improve service delivery,” Mashaba said.
