Johannesburg - Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma said she was concerned about the instability in metros around the country.
This comes against the backdrop of Gauteng suffering political turbulence with the chopping and changing of mayors and a litany of motions of no confidence against political officials in municipalities.
During a discussion at The Star’s offices, Dlamini Zuma said she was concerned the merry-go-round of mayors in the metros could impact service delivery.
"I think they are a problem. It’s a new problem that we are in, and it’s a reflection of the problems in the ANC, but also democracy, because people should vote the way they want," Dlamini Zuma said.
Dlamini Zuma bemoaned the sad state of affairs in the ANC, which had led to coalitions in different municipalities. She said the ANC needed to revive its branches and thrust itself back into the position of being a trusted party that would propel the aspirations of all South Africans in a good direction.
“The branch must know everything that is happening in the community. From the branches you go to the next structures if the branches will be strong. I think we need to go back and strengthen the basic unit of the ANC," Dlamini Zuma said.
Meanwhile, the City of Joburg was also facing uncertainty, with plans to remove the current mayor of the city, Mpho Phalatse, who faces a motion of no confidence planned by minority parties in the municipal council.
In Ekurhuleni, Tania Campbell returned as mayor after the EFF and the ANC failed to agree on a deal that would replace the DA government in Ekurhuleni.
Dlamini Zuma said the change of political heads in municipalities became problematic when the office of the city manager was affected, including the offices of the heads of different departments.
"If we had a strong administration and that was able to run, it would not completely collapse it. The problem is when the new council comes and they have to employ a new MM. That instability will also find form in the administration. If the city manager is not there because the council is fighting, it’s a big problem," Dlamini Zuma said.
The ANC had planned to ensure all metros in Gauteng returned to ANC hands.
There had been complaints the political wrangling in municipalities was leading to a lack of service delivery.
The Star