Tshwane mayoral candidates brace for possibility of another coalition government
They said if no party secures an outright majority, talks on potential coalition partners will begin as parties push for control of the capital city.
Eyewitness News
Jacaranda trees in the City of Tshwane. Picture: South African Tourism/Flickr
South African Tourism/Flickr
With the battle for control of Tshwane now entering the counting phase, mayoral candidates are bracing for the possibility of another coalition government.
They said if no party secures an outright majority, talks on potential coalition partners will begin as parties push for control of the capital city.
Tshwane has been governed through coalitions since the 2016 local government elections, when no party secured an outright majority.
For the past decade, Tshwane’s political landscape has been characterised by coalition deals, political fallouts and a revolving door of mayors.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) led the first multi-party coalition after the 2016 elections.
But following the 2021 elections, the metro descended into another period of political instability, with four mayors taking the reins between 2021 and 2024.
With the possibility of another hung council, parties are already outlining the conditions that will guide their coalition negotiations.
The DA’s Cilliers Brink said their principles will determine which parties they are willing to work with.
“The question for us will be, in this arrangement, will we be able to make the changes necessary to fix water, to fix electricity, to restore the rule of law?”
ActionSA's Nasiphi Moya, meanwhile, said they are only willing to work with parties that put the interests of all residents first.
“The second one, as ActionSA, we are saying this country has a problem with illegal immigration. If you don’t want us to deal with the issue of illegal immigration as a breach of our acts and legislation as the country, then please don’t get into bed with us.”
Smaller party Eco Forums’ Bafana Langa said a memorandum of understanding will be critical in any coalition arrangement.
“What should be done is that all the parties coming on board, they need to review this coalition treaty, and make sure that we allow the lead to lead in terms of what needs to be done and then them coming with recommendations.”
With vote counting underway, the question is whether Tshwane’s next administration will break the cycle of political instability or see the capital city return to another round of coalition musical chairs.
Article by Tsholofelo Tsoku.