EFF Johannesburg region statement on the resignation of the Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg Municipality

25 April 2023

The EFF in Johannesburg notes and welcomes the resignation of the Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg Municipality, Councillor Thapelo Amad, which he handed over to the Speaker of Council, yesterday evening.

It is worth noting that Councillor Amad's resignation is not a premature reaction to the fallacy and baseless attempt which stems from the spineless motion of no confidence which was tabled by ActionSA, - but this was done to preserve the coalition government in the city of Johannesburg, not to fall back to the incompetent hands of the so-called multi-party.

The former Executive Mayor categorically stated that he is resigning because he understands that the interest of the coalition is bigger than an individual and that service delivery should not be interrupted on the bases of a person's ego, - but such that the collective's decision should be respected and applied.

When Councillor Amad took over the Mayoral chain, about 89 days ago, he appointed two EFF councillors as Members of the Mayoral Committee (MMCs) Councillor Mgcini Tshwaku: who was responsible for Public Safety as well as Councillor Ennie Makhafola who was responsible for Health and Social Development portfolio.

As the EFF, we are extremely proud of the amount of work which was put in by the two MMCs who displayed high levels of dedication and hard work as was seen on many social platforms and media outlets.

Fighter Makhafola and Commissar Tshwaku are true vanguards of our people who made it a point that they do not sit on their hands but, were constantly seen on the ground implementing the EFF local government manifestos.

MMC of Health and Social Development Ennie Makhafola managed to open a clinic at Ward 50 Sub-region C, amongst other things, fixing the electricity crisis which was tormenting the patience of Zandspruit Clinic and assisting the needy with social packages in the City of Johannesburg.

MMC of Public Safety Cllr Dr Mgcini Tshwaku initiated operation #ManjeNamhlanje to clean the city and to bring back law and order in the city of Johannesburg's notorious buildings in the CBD.

Commissar Tshwaku also managed to put in place mechanisms to fight crime by introducing patrollers in all corners of the City of Johannesburg Municipality. The MMC raided the hijacked buildings and arrested those who were selling drugs in those hijacked buildings. The MMC introduced the cleaning campaign to make Johannesburg clean again and it was most welcomed by the community of Johannesburg.

We would like to warn the self-proclaimed supervisors of black people the DA and its allies to stop bringing frivolous motions of no confidence to try and make the City of Johannesburg ungovernable.

The EFF in the City of Johannesburg will continue to strive for a stable government in the city and will put much of its focus on service delivery, particularly in the poor and dejected masses of our people. We will continue to be seen in the streets advocating for change as well as thriving to uplift the living conditions of our people, we will also fight crime, and continue to advocate for better health care for all residents of Johannesburg.

Issued by Sepetlele Raseruthe, Regional Chairperson: Johannesburg, EFF, 25 April 2023