SEDIBENG.- The African National Congress (ANC) in Sedibeng is currently engaging in talks with the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) to replace the Pan Africanist Congress (EFF) as its coalition partner in Sedibeng District Municipality (SDM) and Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM).

Sedibeng Ster first reported, last week, that following the reconfiguration of the Gauteng Provincial Government, the African National Congress (ANC) in Gauteng announced plans to work with the EFF in the ELM and the SDM respectively.

The ANC Gauteng Provincial Task Team (PTT) said, in a statement, that it welcomed the decision by Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi, to reconfigure the Provincial Executive Council/Cabinet, in what it said is part of efforts to strengthen governance and improve service delivery across the province.

The ANC has resolved to replace the PAC following their contestation of positions

Speaking to Sedibeng Ster, Jason Mkhwane, ANC Sedibeng Secretary, said that the ANC has resolved to replace the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) following their recent contestation/s of positions in the ELM and the SDM.

Together with other smaller political parties, the PAC is in coalition with the ANC in both the SDM and the ELM.

PAC tabled a MoNC against SDM Mayor and were planning the same for ELM Mayor

PAC also tabled a Motion of No Confidence (MoNC) against Lerato Maloka, SDM Mayor. The party had planned to table another MoNC against ELM Mayor, Sipho Radebe soon.

Although it has not been mentioned yet how the ANC Gauteng/Sedibeng will be working with the EFF in both the SDM and ELM, a ANC Gauteng statement recently said,

“We thank the ANC National Officials for allowing Gauteng leadership to engage in negotiations with various political parties, which led to the reconfigured Gauteng, Government of Provincial Unity (GPU). We continue to work with the EFF and other political parties in coalition governments in Johannesburg, Tshwane, Mogale City, and West Rand District Municipality. We will also be working with the EFF in Sedibeng District and Emfuleni Local Municipality, respectively.”

Talks to end by the end of the week

Meanwhile, the current talks between the EFF and the ANC Sedibeng are expected to end by the end of the week, Mkhwane confirmed.

The African National Congress (ANC) has beeen engaging in talks with the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) this week.

“We are replacing the PAC. The outcome of these discussions will be communicated before the end of the week after consultations with our provincial leadership. The African National Congress (ANC) will be engaging in talks with the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and has resolved to replace the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) following their recent contestation. We are finalising talks that should be concluded by end of the week.”

Sedibeng Ster has sent a request for comment to Apa Pooe, the Secretary of PAC for comment he has promised to revert to the publication.

EFF Gauteng spokesperson, Dumisani Baleni, said that the EFF continuously engages different political organisations including the ANC, in an attempt to establish a stable government that delivers services.

“We have also been in conversations with the ANC in the Gauteng Provincial and in Sedibeng and Emfuleni about serious concerns of service delivery, state of finances and governance.”