The coalition between the African National Congress (ANC) and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Maphumulo has collapsed, leading to the removal of the EFF’s Sinenhlanhla Chili as speaker of council.

Her position has been filled by former deputy mayor Simphiwe Shange, who was elected during a special council sitting last Friday.

While the specifics of the fallout between the two parties remain unclear, it has been confirmed that the ANC has now formed a coalition with the Independent Alliance.

Independent Alliance PR councillor in KwaDukuza, Phathabakhe Shezi, is likely to be appointed as the new deputy mayor and will be moved to Maphumulo.

Chairperson of the Independent Alliance, Melisizwe “Commie” Ntleko, said they have the political flexibility to shift members between municipalities.

“We are now working with the ANC, and councillor Shezi will be taking the role of deputy mayor. To facilitate this, we’ll move councillor Sdudla Phungula from Maphumulo to KwaDukuza,” said Ntleko.

Admitting the ANC was not the Independent Alliance’s first choice as coalition partners, Ntleko said they also could not work with any of the other parties in Maphumulo.

They decided to compromise in the interest of service delivery priorities.

Following the 2021 local government elections, the Maphumulo municipality was initially governed by a coalition of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), the EFF, and the Independent Alliance.

But the ANC regained control after forming an agreement with the EFF, which led to a vote of no confidence against the then IFP mayor, Siboniso Nyatikazi, and speaker Msawenkosi Ngidi.

The date for the next council meeting, where Shezi is expected to be formally elected as deputy mayor, has not yet been announced.

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