The Democratic Alliance (DA) has accused the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) of “political immaturity.”
In a statement on Wednesday, the party reacted to EFF’s withdrawal of support for a vote of no confidence against Mongameli Bobani, the Mayor of Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality.
It said, “The EFF has once again exposed itself as an organisation that only cares about its own narrow political outcomes instead of the interests of the people who elected them.”
Possibility of DA mayor
EFF reportedly withdrew its support for the motion because of the possibility of a DA mayor being elected again.
DA said this proved that the EFF is a party “devoid of principles,” insisting that it should have agreed to remove Bobani whether a DA mayor would be elected or not.
DA national spokesperson Solly Malatsi said under Bobani’s leadership, the municipality “regressed so much that stagnant service delivery and looting have become the norm.”
He said EFF is now complicit in this regression by refusing to help remove Bobani from power.
Malatsi concluded, “As refuse is piling on the streets, irregular appointments are now rife in the City and its financial health deteriorates – the EFF has chosen the path of political immaturity instead of doing the right thing.”
‘Not flip-flopping’
Former DA Nelson Mandela Bay Mayor Athol Trollip earlier took to Twitter to accuse EFF of flip-flopping.
However, EFF Deputy President Floyd Shivambu denied this, maintaining that his party is “consistent” on Trollip not returning as mayor.
He tweeted, “The sooner you accept and internalise that you will never be a Mayor of anything @AtholT the better. We are not going to make you a Mayor, and we will never make that mistake. We are not flip-flopping, we are consistent on you.”
DA councillor Morne Steyn initiated the motion. The Patriotic Alliance, African Christian Democratic Party and Congress of the People reportedly support it.
The council is set to debate the motion against the embattled Bobani, who is from the United Democratic Movement, on Thursday.