Tshwane is ActionSA’s final betrayal

14 September 2024

Weeks ago Herman Mashaba made it clear that ActionSA would vote to bring down the Tshwane multi-party coalition, and the decision by the party’s senate is a confirmation of what has already been decided.

Despite overwhelming opposition to this move, including by members of ActionSA, Mashaba seems intent on bringing down an effective, well-functioning coalition that has achieved success in:

-  A significant improvement in the city’s finances and audit outcome;

-  A credible plan to secure maximum energy independence; and

-   A partnership with national government to solve the Hammanskraal water crisis.

To show Action’s hypocrisy, they have taken credit for many of these achievements, and their councillors continue to serve in key mayoral committee position despite Mashaba’s pronouncements.

More people have signed petitions against ActionSA in the past two weeks than voted for the party in the 2024 general election.

The party’s conduct towards coalition partners, supporters, and the public have been characterised by lies, deceit and betrayal.

Less than two months ago the party was taking credit for the success of the Tshwane multi-party coalition, and described the ANC’s motion of no confidence in mayor Cilliers Brink as opportunitistic.  

Now ActionSA, which hold the deputy mayorship and key mayoral committee portfolios in Tshwane, blames its coalition partners for the city’s supposed failures.

It is clear that ActionSA’s turn on the Tshwane coalition has nothing to do with service delivery, the residents of Tshwane, or the future of the city.

Mashaba has counted on a deal with the ANC and the EFF to elect an ActionSA mayor, the calculation being that the party will benefit from holding this position.

But the statement issued by ActionSA this morning reveals that no such deal has yet been secured, and ActionSA has no plan for Tshwane aside from voting in a motion of no confidence to collapse a functioning government.

The only way ActionSA’s ploy can work is if its new coalition includes the EFF, enthroning the party of chaos, hate, and violence as kingmakers in a new Tshwane coalition.

Mashaba has turned ActionSA into the useful idiots of anti-constitutional forces in South African politics, and in the process has jeopordised the future of the capital city.   

The DA will fight to preserve the progress we have made with our coalition partners in Tshwane, and to stop Mashaba for delivering the worst possible outcome for the city.

While Mashaba is intent on destroying ActionSA, which will surely be eviscerate in the 2026 local government election, the City of Tshwane should not face the same fate.

Issued by Willie Aucamp, DA National Spokesperson, 14 September 2024