ActionSA Tshwane leader resigns but remains metro’s Human Settlements MMC
On Wednesday, the party announced the abrupt resignation of Abel Tau from his role as regional caucus leader.
Although ActionSA regional caucus leader Abel Tau resigned from his top position in the party this week, he will remain as the Tshwane metro’s MMC for Human Settlements.
In a statement on Wednesday, ActionSA chairman Michael Beaumont announced the abrupt resignation of Tau from his position as the party’s caucus leader.
“Councillor Abel Tau elected to step back from the position because of the need for full-time focus on ActionSA’s management of the coalition in Tshwane,” Beaumont said.
He said Tau would remain as the MMC for Human Settlements for the metro as he was still a member of the party.
“In discussion with Tau, the National Leadership shared the sentiment that ActionSA’s management of the coalition required full-time attention. Tau, as MMC of Human Settlements, has the critical work to oversee this vital pro-poor service delivery function,” he said.
The resignation of Tau as caucus leader of the party in Tshwane came after ActionSA and the DA had an impasse over the municipality’s budget last week Monday.
Initially ActionSA said it would not vote for the adjusted budget with their coalition partners due to the budget not being pro-poor. After several meetings by ActionSA members, and some with the DA, ActionSA voted with the DA without any changes made to the adjusted budget.
“The recent adjustment budget did not adequately express ActionSA’s agenda in the multi-party government and this will require full-time attention to correct going forward,” Beaumont said.
In late January, a physical scuffle broke out among ActionSA party members who voiced dissatisfaction at not getting jobs through the party. This led to political commentators saying the party was facing internal issues. During this time, Tau stood firm that the party would not be involved in job corruption scandals.
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As a regional leader, Tau led the party during the 2021 local municipal elections. From the elections the newly formed party became the fourth biggest party in the region with 8.6% votes. He was elected as Human Settlements MMC in December, among his responsibilities is the relocation of Mamelodi victims which has been an issue since 2019.
Tau has been replaced by Derrick Kissoonduth as the new caucus leader.
“We place on record our respect and appreciation for the leadership provided by Abel Tau. We are confident that councillor Kissoonduth will lead the caucus well and we wish him well in this important task,” Beaumont said.
He said Kissoonduth served in the council since 2006.
“In that time, he has served as MMCs for Public Safety and Health as well as holding various chairmanships in council.”
*Parts of this article have been amended.*
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