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Today, the ANC caucus in Emfuleni, failed to show up for yet another council sitting. This follows short on the heels of the ANC removing its own mayor for losing a ward to the Democratic Alliance (DA) in last week’s by-election.

Emfuleni, one of the worst run municipalities in the country, has still not passed its adjustment budget – putting the limited services they are able to deliver, in danger of grinding to a complete halt.

It is deeply unfortunate that the ANC has decided to keep service delivery, and government hostage by not pitching to this council sitting. As it stands, they have also not put forward a candidate to replace former mayor, Sipho Radebe.

The ANC continues to fight amongst themselves as to who will fill this position, that is why they failed to show up to council today.

Emfuleni Local Municipality has now hit a previously unreached trifecta of failures: no service delivery, no budget, and no mayor.

I will be reaching out to the MEC of CoGTA in Gauteng, Jacob Mmamabolo, and the Premier of Gauteng, Panyaza Lesufi to get both the municipality, and their party in line.

Residents cannot be held hostage because of a party’s internal battles for power.

Issued by Solly Msimanga MPL - DA Gauteng leader