Durban - The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal has dismissed concerns that the coalition it leads in the eThekwini Municipality was on the verge of collapse.
Addressing the media yesterday, ANC provincial secretary Bheki Mtolo compared the coalition to a marriage, saying like all partnerships, there were challenges, but that did not mean that the coalition was on the brink of collapse.
However, Mtolo’s words rang hollow with council insiders who have observed tension between mayor Mxolisi Kaunda and his deputy Philani Mavundla that has played out in public.
Mavundla is the president of the Abantu Batho Congress (ABC) and was given the position of deputy mayor and chairperson of the infrastructure and services portfolio committee in exchange for his party and other smaller parties’ support for the ANC-led coalition government of the biggest municipality in the province.
Several sources, who did not want to be named, said the end of the coalition government was near as the relationship between Kaunda and Mavundla was a sore point.
The Mercury recently reported on a text message, purportedly sent by Kaunda to Mavundla, which demonstrated the strained relationship between the two. In the message, Kaunda took Mavundla to task for undermining him.
This coalition will be a year old this month, and in terms of functionality, it has been more stable than those in other regions. Key issues like passing the budget and the appointment of the city manager have gone relatively smoothly.
Mtolo said the rumours that the party’s coalition with the ABC and smaller parties was on the verge of collapse was nothing but information being spread by “drunkards”.
“Our relationship with ABC, of course, coalition is like marriages, it’s not always smooth in a marriage or in any relationship.
“What I can say (to the journalist asking the question): stop getting briefings from drunkards. The issue that Mavundla’s days are numbered only exist in the minds of those drunkards.
“Of course, they (municipal leaders) have challenges in the city, which is normal. Even in areas where there is a mayor or the deputy mayor of the ANC, there would be challenges.”
Rumours that the coalition is in trouble are further fuelled by developments at national level.
The ANC and EFF have also started coalition talks in Gauteng, which, if successful, could cascade down to eThekwini.
One councillor in eThekwini said it was clear that Mavundla was no longer comfortable in the relationship and could be looking for a new plan.
“He (Mavundla) has been talking to us (as opposition in recent days), saying we should look at the numbers (a suggestion that he may be looking for another coalition). He did not come out clear to say what he means,” said the councillor.
The attempts to speak to Mavundla were unsuccessful yesterday.
ABC general secretary Phumelele Phahla, said she had no knowledge of Mavundla speaking to other parties on the possibility of a different coalition.
Speaking on the state of their partnership with the ANC, she said while there have been many rumours, including about the alleged tension between the mayor and the deputy mayor, she cannot speak on it at the moment until she has had an opportunity to engage with the ANC leadership.