ActionSA and DA Resume Coalition Talks as Gauteng’s Three Hung Metros Face Political Deadlock

ActionSA and the Democratic Alliance (DA) have held another round of coalition negotiations as political parties intensify efforts to establish governing arrangements in Gauteng’s three hung metropolitan municipalities following last week’s local government elections.

The discussions, held on Thursday, come as uncertainty continues over the formation of new administrations in Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni, where no political party managed to secure an outright majority.

ActionSA national chairperson Michael Beaumont confirmed that the two parties had met, describing the engagement as “another productive coalition discussion”.

The DA emerged as the largest political party in all three Gauteng metropolitan councils but fell short of obtaining enough seats to govern independently. This means the party must secure support from smaller political parties to establish stable administrations and appoint mayors.

However, negotiations have been complicated by disagreements over mayoral candidates, particularly in Johannesburg, where the contest between ActionSA and the DA has become an important issue in the coalition discussions.

ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba has reportedly proposed a compromise that could help break the deadlock. Mashaba indicated that he would be willing to withdraw his candidacy for Johannesburg mayor if the DA’s Helen Zille also stepped aside.

Under his proposal, the DA would be allowed to nominate another mayoral candidate, while ActionSA would receive the position of deputy mayor in the new administration.

The proposal is aimed at finding common ground between the two parties and avoiding disagreements over who should lead South Africa’s largest metropolitan municipality.

The negotiations are particularly significant because the outcome will determine how Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni are governed over the coming years.

Although the latest discussions have been described as productive, it remains unclear whether the parties have reached a final agreement on mayoral positions and the distribution of other executive responsibilities.

Further coalition engagements are expected as parties work towards securing the support needed to govern the three municipalities.

Source : https://x.com/MDNnewss/status/2120932402281275690/photo/1?a=aT0L_4hX24eTCkzcD1Q&s=19

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