Durban - An ANC-EFF coalition to take control of eThekwini Metro may be on the cards, sources said. Intense discussions have been taking place between the ANC and EFF, which resulted in deputy mayor Philani Mavundla being booted out of his position last week.
The next target is Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda, whose position the two parties were planning to terminate next month. Mavundla, president of the Abantu Batho Congress, has kept the ANC in control of eThekwini after the ANC failed to secure a majority in the local government elections.
The trade-off between Mavundla and the ANC was that he would be the deputy mayor and in charge of the City’s human settlement and infrastructure committee, which accounts for 75% of the City’s R54 billion budget. He has since taken the ANC to court for breach of contract as he was expected to serve in the position until 2026. The matter will be heard next week when the Durban High Court will rule whether his removal was valid or not.
With Mavundla seemingly out of the way, Kaunda, who was brought in as an “interim” mayor after Zandile Gumede was arrested on corruption charges, was the next target. While Gumede was forced to step aside, her faction was said to be vying for power in the council. The deputy mayor’s position and one exco seat remain vacant and it was expected to be filled once the EFF and ANC concluded their coalition terms, an unnamed source said.
The top brass of the KZN ANC, led by chairperson Sboniso Duma, met with EFF leaders at its headquarters in Johannesburg. It was not clear what was discussed. However, several sources have confirmed the making of an EFF-ANC coalition in KZN. “The ANC lost many municipalities, some with a small margin, and they needed a coalition to win them back from the IFP.
Mavundla was pulling in the opposite direction and it was hard to work with him. A deal with the EFF is on the horizon. Some negotiations will take place in January after the national conference,” said an unnamed ANC source in the eThekwini region.
EFF caucus leader Themba Mvubu has denied forming a coalition with the ANC, despite supporting the removal of Mavundla. He said such issues were handled by the EFF national leadership. The EFF national spokesperson, Sinawo Thambo, said the party would “communicate its posture with regards to governance in eThekwini at the appropriate time”.
Kaunda would not be drawn to comment on Mavundla’s removal and his future in eThekwini. Mafika Mndebele, ANC KZN spokesperson, said they were busy with the national conference at the moment, so other issues would be dealt with after it had ended.
SUNDAY TRIBUNE