Ball in DA’s court for Joburg coalition

25 October 2022 

Today’s court judgement reinstating the multi-party coalition government in Johannesburg is welcomed by ActionSA. It is an important correction of an unlawful process followed by the ANC to remove the coalition government.

While ActionSA welcomes this court outcome, it does not change the dynamics of instability that led to the collapse. This leaves the ball squarely in the DA’s court to demonstrate their commitment to multi-party coalitions providing an alternative to failed ANC governance.

The return of our multi-party coalition government could be a technical event that lasts a day or a week, or it could see the return of the multi-party coalition for the next 4 years keeping the ANC in the opposition benches.

In this regard the DA must decide whether it is willing to re-engage its former coalition partners and secure enough support to sustain a government, or whether it has given up on the coalition and surrendered the residents of Johannesburg to 4 more years of ANC governance.

ActionSA publicly commits itself, once again, to any discussions that lead to our multi-party coalition government being able to sustain itself over the next 4 years in order for improved service delivery and institutional changes to take effect in Johannesburg.

The services needed by the residents of Johannesburg cannot be delivered from the opposition benches and nor can the fight against corruption be won unless the coalition is in government.

ActionSA is committed to the work of fixing Johannesburg and for this the coalition must govern for the rest of the term of office. We call upon all political parties committed to providing an alternative to the ANC to come together and deliver on this commitment.

Issued by Michael Beaumont, National Chairperson, ActionSA, 25 October 2022