EFF welcomes the removal of Vasco da Gama as Speaker of Johannesburg

1 September 2022

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) welcomes the removal of the compromised Speaker of the City of Johannesburg Council, Vasco Da Gama through a motion of no confidence this morning. In what can only be described as a harsh wake-up call for the arrogant Democratic Alliance (DA), Da Gama was removed through a motion which saw 136 members of council voting in favour of the motion of no confidence. Those who voted for his removal, include those who have been subjected to a racist and entitled coalition, which has given the DA a false sense of power.

Da Gama, who was emboldened by the arrogance of his organisation irregularly appointed an Acting Council Secretary, and ignored the uproar by opposition parties and their objections to the appointment. Further to this, Da Gama was suppressive, stifled debate in council and ran the council as if it were a gathering of his inferiors.

It was the councillors of the EFF who stood unashamedly against the shady appointment of a council Secretary, and our members were even physically assaulted, when they raised the irregular appointment by Da Gama. His removal is a vindication that the truth will always prevail, no matter what thuggery those deployed in positions of power may exercise.

His removal, comes after his racist organisation has paraded ultimatums to the EFF in the public domain, a blatant exhibition of white-supremacy and entitlement. Da Gama's removal serves as a reminder to the DA that they did not win elections, and must never be under the impression that they govern on the basis of a popular mandate from the people.

As South Africa manages the inevitable death of the ANC, opposition parties must remain principled and never allow any organisation to bully them into positions and dictate what occurs in councils. The people of South Africa have not decided on an outright winner of elections, this therefore requires humility, co-operation and concessions by all parties to ensure that services are delivered to the people. The EFF will continue to participate in all activities of the Johannesburg Council and ensure that a Speaker who will not presume themselves as untouchable, assumes Office and handles the affairs of the City diligently.

We caution the DA, to be careful of issuing ultimatums, when the power they hold is dependent on the will of a collective of political parties. The removal of Da Gama must be an instructive lesson that white-arrogance has no place in the corridors of governance in South Africa.

Issued by Sinawo Thambo, National Spokesperson, EFF, 1 September 2022