ANC trying to bring EFF down in Ekurhuleni, Nkululeko Dunga alleges

Financial Freedom Fighters Gauteng chief Nkululeko Dunga. (Twitter/EFF)

The ANC in Ekurhuleni is planning to make use of Financial Freedom Fighters Gauteng chief Nkululeko Dunga’s accident as proof that the EFF is misusing funds within the metro, alleging that the automobile he was in belonged to a personal proprietor regardless of being fitted with authorities blue lights. 

This declare comes after appearing ANC Ekurhuleni chairperson Jongizizwe Dlabathi complained that the EFF’s management have been utilizing taxpayers’ cash for his or her private use.

The ANC and EFF are co-governing in Ekurhuleni — in addition to in Johannesburg and Nelson Mandela Bay — below a deal wherein they’ve agreed that smaller events’ councillors ascend to the mayoral positions. However some ANC leaders in Ekurhuleni argue that the partnership with the EFF has misplaced its effectiveness. 

Talking to the Mail & Guardian, Dunga denied misusing funds and mentioned the ANC was attempting to undermine the work performed by the EFF within the metro for political acquire.

“That is propaganda by the ANC within the metro, as a result of regardless of the [allegations] from Jongizizwe, Ekurhuleni is extra financially steady and in a greater place than every other municipalities within the province,” Dunga mentioned.

He mentioned in contrast to different metros, Ekurhuleni had demonstrated by way of its first quarter report that its monetary place was higher, saying: “We hit the 93% goal on the gathering fee which means our price range is funded. We’re solely servicing the present debt [to] Eskom with no overdue quantity.”

“The Metropolis of Tshwane’s funds are in shambles, the Metropolis of Johannesburg can not accumulate income and they’re struggling to pay staff, and the monetary workplace there’s run by an ANC cadre, Dada Morero.”

Dunga challenged the ANC to open a misconduct case with the police and the Directorate for Precedence Crime Investigation (the Hawks) to show its suspicions, including: “We’re that assured that there isn’t a misuse of funds by me or the EFF within the Ekurhuleni metro.”

On Friday, ActionSA in Ekurhuleni opened a prison case at Germiston police station in opposition to Dunga for allegedly being pushed in a personal automobile fitted with blue lights in contravention of the legislation.

The EFF denied the accusation, saying ActionSA and its coalition companions “have taken this accident as a chance to attain low-cost political factors by throwing round numerous allegations”.

The ANC’s Dlabathi — who has beforehand alleged monetary misconduct in Ekurhuleni, the place Dunga is the member of the mayoral committee for finance — accused the EFF of attempting to control the town with out together with the ANC in its decision-making.

As each events put together for common elections subsequent yr, the ANC’s highest resolution physique, the nationwide govt committee (NEC), final month mentioned reevaluating the coalition with the Pink Berets, citing concern of shedding votes in 2024.

A presentation to the NEC by the ANC’s head of political schooling, David Makhura, accused the EFF of abusing its coalition partnerships with the ANC to undermine the governing celebration’s assist. 

“The EFF makes use of coalitions to contest the ANC’s social base and additional injury its model,” the doc learn.

It mentioned the celebration’s inside analysis confirmed that in by-elections, the EFF was nonetheless rising “primarily within the conventional base of the ANC; its progress is levelling up under 20%”.

In July, Dlabathi formally requested that the celebration contemplate ending the coalition in a letter to ANC secretary common Fikile Mbalula that make clear the challenges and tensions which had beset it.

Mbalula has beforehand asserted that the ANC mustn’t keep a relationship with the EFF, a celebration that persistently criticises the ANC.

This week, Mzwandile Masina, a former ANC Ekurhuleni chairperson, additionally mentioned the celebration mustn’t keep the partnership, saying the present relationship confused supporters and legitimised the EFF.

Throughout the NEC assembly, the ANC requested its nationwide activity crew on coalitions, headed by Mbalula, to current a report on chopping ties with opposition events, together with the Patriotic Alliance led by Gayton McKenzie.

“The proposal to terminate all coalition preparations with the EFF and Patriotic Alliance will likely be taken to the nationwide activity crew on coalitions and a report will likely be offered to the nationwide officers and the nationwide working committee,” an inside doc mentioned.