Fresh political tensions have erupted in the City of Ekurhuleni after ActionSA categorically rejected any involvement in the appointment of mayoral candidate Xolani Khumalo as MMC for Community Services and By-Law Enforcement, while the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) criticised the unilateral removal of two of their councillors from the Mayoral Committee.
The reshuffle was unveiled by Ekurhuleni Mayor Alderman Nkosindiphile Xhakaza on February 17, following extensive consultations with multi-party organisations in Council, and forms part of broader changes to the City’s executive.
Acting Mayoral Spokesperson Ramatolo Tiotlheg confirmed the newly appointed MMCs were sworn in on Wednesday morning at the OR Tambo Government Precinct, Mayors Parlour. The reshuffle aligns with the newly adopted Ekurhuleni Governance Framework, intended to strengthen a sustainable Ekurhuleni Government of Local Unity (EGLU).
“Coalition must be based on a common minimum program that focuses on the measurable targets to service delivery and development in the communities. Coalition partners must commit to the shared values, stability, accountability, ethics, integrity, community participation, good governance, respect for the constitution and the rule of law, social justice and equity, human dignity, non-racialism and non-sexism.”
Tiotlheg said the Ekurhuleni Governance Framework is anchored under the principles of cohesion, stability and people-centred government, aiming to build strong governance rooted in a pro-poor, people-centred agenda that delivers services to residents with responsiveness and agility.
The new Executive includes:
Metro Utilities (Trading) Services: Cllr Jean Sthato.
Metro Operations and Maintenance: Cllr Nomadlozi Nkosi.
Human Settlements: Cllr Leshaka Manamela.
Development Planning and Real Estate: Cllr Dino Peterson.
Roads and Transport: Cllr Lindiwe Mnguni.
Community Services and By-Law Enforcement: Cllr Xolani Khumalo.
Community Safety: Cllr Mzayifani Ngwenya.
Corporate Shared Services: Cllr Siphumule Ntombela.
Infrastructure and Economic Development Agency (EDA): Cllr Thembi Msane.
Finance and Strategy: Cllr Jongizizwe Dlabathi.
However, the reshuffle has sparked fierce pushback. ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba dismissed media reports linking his party to the changes as “entirely fabricated.”
He said repeated attempts by Xhakaza to enlist ActionSA had been rejected.
“Following repeated and unsuccessful attempts by Mayor Xhakaza to solicit ActionSA’s participation in his administration, I have consistently made it clear that we will not join his failing government and have rejected every personal and formal approach made to us. The people of Ekurhuleni are tired of dysfunction, lawlessness, and the collapse of basic municipal services.
“ActionSA’s focus remains on restoring governance, cleaning out corruption, restoring the rule of law and fixing the fundamentals of service delivery. These are priorities we intend to implement when we secure a clear mandate from residents in the upcoming local government elections.”
The EFF has also condemned Xhakaza’s decisions, highlighting the removal of EFF Councillors Bridget Thusi (Community Services) and Kgopello Hollo (Human Settlements) from the executive.
“Both of these MMCs have performed well in their portfolios and have been of exemplary service to the people of Ekurhuleni,” said Sinawo Thambo, National Spokesperson for the EFF.
Thambo added that the party further warned against transferring Water and Sanitation responsibilities from MMC Commissar Thembi Msane to a newly constituted Metro Utilities portfolio led by an ANC Councillor, stating that it could undermine service delivery, repeating the mistakes seen after the 2024 removal of an EFF Finance MMC.
He shared that Xhakaza’s attempt to constitute a new mayoral committee, with fewer EFF councillors, included offering EFF councillors Thembi Msana and Leshaka Manamela the roles of MMC for Infrastructure and Economic Development Agency and MMC for Human Settlements.
“The EFF informs the people of Ekurhuleni, Gauteng, and South Africa that we have declined the offer to form part of the Mayoral Committee in the City of Ekurhuleni and humbly and gracefully accept our role in the opposition benches,” he said.
Thambo said the party commended their MMCs for the work they have done in the City of Ekurhuleni and has full confidence that they will serve the people of the city well and continue to hold the Executive in Ekurhuleni accountable.
The Star