The African National Congress (ANC) has retained control of the eThekwini metropolitan area after its mayor Mxolisi Kaunda recently survived a vote of no confidence in the council. The resolution was introduced by councillor Imtiyaz Syed of the Active Citizens Coalition on Friday, 3 February 2023 at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre.
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) contributed to the ANC’s triumph by voting with the party and securing 126 votes against the proposal. There are 215 seats available in the council.
“There were 209 council members present when we commenced the vote procedure. There were 81 individuals who supported the motion. The number of opponents is 126. I will explain that it is 126. One is those who abstained. The number is 126 since we subtracted the mayor’s vote from the list. Consequently, the motion is denied. When announcing the results, Council Speaker Thabani Nyawose stated, “It will not be implemented.”
If there is one thing that can be said about South African politics, it is that they are never truly over, even after the fat lady sings. The Democratic Alliance (DA) and other metropolitan parties disapprove of eThekwini Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda and want him removed from office. Zandile Myeni of the NFP was recently elected as Mxolisi’s deputy, replacing Philani Mavundla of the ABC, much to the dismay of the DA.
The DA claims it voted against Mavundla in December to avert a coalition government between the EFF and ANC.
“The EFF has once again demonstrated that they do not care for locals and are only interested in acquiring power and enriching themselves. The DA contends that a vote for a smaller party is a vote for the ANC, which is precisely what occurred in eThekwini today. “These parties have shown a complete disregard for the plight of residents who continue to be led by corrupt ANC officials and leaders, depriving them of basic services,” said Thabani Mthetwa of the Democratic Alliance.
»eThekwini mayor has survived a vote of no confidence; what’s next?«