ActionSA says it will work with ANC in Joburg, if Gwamanda is removed as mayor

JOHANNESBURG - ActionSA has announced it will now work with the African National Congress (ANC) in the City of Johannesburg - on the condition that Al Jama-ah’s Kabelo Gwamanda is removed as executive mayor.

The party, however, said it was not joining the ANC-led multi-party government, but would throw its weight behind the party on an ‘issue by issue’ basis in the municipal council.

This decision was made by the party’s highest decision-making body as a measure to save the city from poor governance and political leadership.

ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba and national chairperson Michael Beaumont made the announcement at a media briefing in Johannesburg on Monday morning.

Action SA, which has 44 seats in the Joburg Council, has been the Democratic Alliance's (DA) coalition partner both in the opposition and in government in the city since the 2021 local government elections.

But the party said it believed its seats could be of good use in government, announcing it would join hands with the ANC to run the city on a case-by-case basis.

ActionSA national chairperson Michael Beaumont said the party wanted to contribute to stabilising the municipal government.

"We will supply our 44 votes in Johannesburg metro to the government on an issue-by-issue basis, with the meritorious consideration of the issue at hand only," Beaumont said.

This decision follows the DA joining forces with the ANC in Parliament to form the Government of National Unity.