Coalition welcomes Tshwane mayor resignation, shifts focus to election of new mayor

14 February 2023

The Coalition Oversight Group of the governing multi-party coalition in the City of Tshwane met this evening to discuss the subject of the resignation of Mayor Williams.

The multi-party coalition welcomes the resignation of Mayor Williams as an important step in stabilising and ensuring the future of the coalition. The coalition expresses its appreciation to Mayor Williams and the Democratic Alliance for taking this necessary step and wishes Williams well with his future endeavours.

On 10 January 2023, the Coalitions Oversight Group met and communicated our resolve to ensure that the adverse audit outcome is met with consequences that differentiates the leadership of this coalition from the ANC’s track record of defending the indefensible.

The focus of this group of political parties shifted immediately to the imperative of electing a suitable Mayor that can provide the leadership required to address the serious issues facing the residents of Tshwane. Clear steps have been outlined about how the AG’s audit findings will be addressed, for which political leadership will be essential.

The coalition dealt with the views of the two resignation letters received from Mayor Williams, recognising that it is the legally defined role of the Speaker to obtain the necessary legal advice on this matter and its implications. The coalition shall await his ruling in this respect.

The signed coalition agreement requires the DA, as the party proposing a new candidate for Mayor, to consult the multi-party coalition once it has undergone its internal processes to select a new mayoral candidate. All coalition partners spoke of the need for leadership capable of addressing the governance concerns identified by the AG.

All political parties of this coalition re-affirmed their commitment to sustaining this multi-party coalition to ensure that it governs for the benefit of all residents and keeps the ANC out of the City of Tshwane. Parties were unequivocal in this commitment.

Issued by Corne Mulder on behalf of Multi-party Coalition, 14 February 2023