ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba has denied involvement in Ekurhuleni’s government changes.
Gallo Images/Luba Lesolle
ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba has denied involvement in Ekurhuleni’s government changes.The EFF criticised the mayoral committee changes,citing risks to water services and finances,and declined to join the government,opting for opposition.Assault-accused ActionSA councillor Xolani Khumalo was controversially appointed MMC for community services and law enforcement,despite pending court charges.Herman Mashaba’s ActionSA has distanced itself from any involvement in the City of Ekurhuleni’s governing coalition.
This was after Ekurhuleni Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza’s sweeping changes to his mayoral committee,including appointing assault-accused ActionSA councillor Xolani Khumalo as MMC for community service and law enforcement.
Other changes to the mayoral committee saw two EFF councillors ousted,while others were removed from strategic roles and appointed to other positions. The EFF has not taken kindly to the changes and has declined to be part of the coalition government altogether.
Interestingly,the municipality’s statement came hours before Khumalo was to appear at the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court for an April 2025 crime. He handed himself over to the police recently.
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READ | Ekurhuleni mayor announces ‘strategic changes’ as Mayco reshuffled
Despite this,Xhakaza believed he was fit to be the portfolio head responsible for fighting crime in Ekurhuleni.
Mashaba has distanced his party from the latest developments.
“ActionSA categorically distances itself from a false media statement currently circulating,which purports changes to the Mayoral Executive in Ekurhuleni,” he said.
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According to Mashaba,the statement was entirely fabricated and did not reflect any engagement or agreement involving ActionSA.
He said there had been repeated and unsuccessful attempts by Xhakaza to solicit ActionSA’s participation in his administration.
Mashaba added:
I have consistently made it clear that we will not join his failing government and have rejected every personal and formal approach made to us. Our position has been very clear on every occasion that we will not lend credibility to an administration that has overseen the lawlessness and deterioration of service delivery that continues to cripple the City.
“I urge the public and the media to disregard the fabricated statement and to verify information through ActionSA’s official communication platforms.”
The new MMCs were meant to be sworn in at 9:00 on Wednesday,at which time Khumalo would have been seated on the court’s benches waiting for his name to be called.
Other changes made to Xhakaza’s mayoral committee are:
Metro Utilities (Trading) Services – Jean Sthato (ANC)Metro Operations and Maintenance – Nomadlozi Nkosi (ANC)Human Settlements – Leshaka Manamela (EFF)Development Planning and Real Estate – Dino Peterson (PA)Roads and Transport – Lindiwe Mnguni (ANC)Community Services and Bylaw Enforcement – Xolani Khumalo (ActionSA)Community Safety – Mzayifani Ngwenya (ANC)Corporate Shared Services – Siphumule Ntombela (NFP)Infrastructure and Economic Development Agency – Thembi Msane (EFF)Finance and Strategy – Jongizizwe Dlabathi (ANC)
The EFF said it had taken note of the pronounced changes,with spokesperson Sinawo Thambo calling them irresponsible.
“This irresponsible move seeks to undermine the work of the EFF in maintaining and improving water infrastructure in the City and poses a risk to water services in the same way the finances of the City were jeopardised by the irrational removal of an EFF MMC in 2024 from that portfolio,” he said.
“The EFF informs the people of Ekurhuleni,Gauteng and South Africa that we have declined the offer to form part of the Mayoral Committee in the City of Ekurhuleni and will humbly and gracefully accept our role in the opposition benches.”
READ | ActionSA defends Khumalo amid assault claims and EFF ethics complaint
This also comes a few weeks after EFF leader Julius Malema said his party would no longer tolerate disrespect from the ANC in coalition arrangements.
He threatened that the EFF would not support Gauteng’s budget when it is tabled in the legislature in the coming weeks.
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