Seven MMCs sworn in as ActionSA and EFF reject Ekurhuleni reshuffle
Seven MMCs sworn in as EFF and ActionSA reject appointments and fail to attend ceremony.
The City of Ekurhuleni swore in seven of the ten newly appointed Members of the Mayoral Committee (MMCs) on February 18, after three failed to attend the ceremony.
Executive Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza said the absentees, representing the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and ActionSA, did not provide any official reasons for their absence.
On the morning of Februaray 18, ActionSA released a statement rejecting the appointment of its mayoral candidate, Xolani Khumalo, stating that it could not support a process it considered “illegitimate”.
ALSO READ: City of Ekurhuleni steps up action against hijacked buildings
Khumalo had been appointed to the Community Services and By-law Enforcement portfolio.
Despite the public statement, the mayor maintained that he had not received any formal letter of rejection from Khumalo.
Meanwhile, Ekurhuleni EFF leader Nkululeko Dunga also confirmed that the party was rejecting the appointments, describing the reshuffle as “politically motivated and aimed at ring-fencing key positions”.
“As the EFF, we are not willing to play musical chairs for positions. We are happy to sit on the sidelines and remain the opposition party,” said Dunga.
ALSO READ: City of Ekurhuleni vows to reduce reliance on contractors amid service delivery woes
Clr Leshaka Manamela was appointed to Human Settlements, having previously served in Environmental Resources and Waste Management, while Clr Thembi Msane was appointed to the Infrastructure and Economic Development Agency (EDA), having previously served in Water and Sanitation.
The mayor had given all three councillors until the end of today to accept or decline the positions in writing.
The mayoral committee reshuffle forms part of what the mayor described as the Ekurhuleni Governance Framework.
