“Nothing nefarious” about PA not joining Tshwane coalition
Last year, PA Gayton McKenzie withdrew from the coalition talks in November 2021 due to dispute over discussions about position gains.
There was “nothing nefarious” about the coalition government not teaming up with the Patriotic Alliance (PA) in Tshwane, the DA said.
This comes after the PA joined the ranks of the DA, FF Plus, ActionSA,COPE, IFP and ACDP to form coalition governments in the Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni municipalities.
The DA’s Richard Newton said the Tshwane municipality was not part of this new agreement because the region already had a stable coalition in place with majority votes [108] against the opposition parties (ANC and EFF).
This was not the case with the two other municipalities.
“The PA is included in the Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni just to strengthen and consolidate the majority government. The inclusion of the PA will not affect the Tshwane metro,” he said.
New partner PA signed new coalition contracts on Tuesday.
Newton said there were no major changes to the coalition contract except the joining of the new party.
In the Tshwane council, the PA has only one seat. The party received 0.5% votes in the local municipal elections in November 2021. The party gained popularity in townships such as Eersterust since it was formed in 2013.
PA leader Gayton McKenzie posted on social media that the party got about three mayoral committee positions in the two metros. This included the MMC position for health and human settlements.
McKenzie withdrew from the coalition talks in November 2021 with the now multiparty partners because of a dispute over discussions about position gains.
McKenzie wanted at the time to discuss positions and the DA proposed discussions of principal at first.
“We differ in what we believe in as people. I’m in these coalition talks for power-sharing and not principle sharing. We want power because your principles haven’t built houses and given jobs,” McKenzie said.
The signing of the PA follows the ActionSA and coalition partners DA’s public dispute over the coalition government decision.
ActionSA Herman Mashaba raised concerns that said failure by the coalition to work with EFF in Ekurhuleni municipality could see the partners losing the municipality to the ANC.
ALSO READ: Mamelodi police crack down on GBV suspects
It gives me great pleasure that we r now responsible 4 MMC portfolios for health in Ekurhuleni and Joburg and human settlements in Ekurhuleni. Health inspectors will be visiting shops and restaurants.We are going to work and intensify the fight @OnsBaizaNie #PutSouthAficansFirst pic.twitter.com/FIdCl4M638
— Gayton McKenzie (@GaytonMcK) February 22, 2022
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
