DA-ANC tie-up talks in Nelson Mandela Bay on ice over Tshwane debacle — Steenhuisen

The DA has suspended talks of forming coalitions in municipalities — including Nelson Mandela Bay — after the ANC helped to remove Cilliers Brink as mayor of Tshwane.

This is according to DA leader John Steenhuisen, who said the ANC behaved appallingly when it helped to oust Brink. 

A push to reshape the coalition in the Bay is under way after the ANC’s national executive committee decided that the party should assume control of mayoral positions in hung municipalities where it holds the most seats.

However, this was not the case in Tshwane, where ActionSA’s Nasiphi Moya replaced Brink.

Steenhuisen, who was addressing journalists in Gqeberha on Monday, reaffirmed the party’s position, saying there was no way forward until the Tshwane situation was fixed.

“The ANC behaved badly in Tshwane when they removed Brink and, as a result, we are suspending all talks about local governments of unity.

“Until the situation in Tshwane is rectified, it will be difficult for us to work together and put [in place] stable, lasting coalitions where we can make a difference in government.”

In the aftermath of Brink’s ousting, DA federal council chair Helen Zille said the aftershocks of the decision would be felt throughout the country.

“We do not want to take government at all costs,” Steenhuisen said.

“It has to be a stable coalition that works and the ANC would have to commit to certain things to make it work.”

ANC national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri had not responded to questions by the time of publication.

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