EFF leader Julius Malema has announced the party is ending its coalition cooperation with the ANC in Gauteng, accusing the ruling party of violating their governance agreements.
Malema said the final straw was the conduct of Ekurhuleni Mayor Nkosingiphile Xhakaza, who he claims sidelined EFF representatives from their agreed-upon responsibilities without due process.
The EFF had been supporting Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s minority government in Gauteng and participating in shared governance in several metros. Malema argued that coalition arrangements require consensus, not unilateral decisions.
He criticized Xhakaza for acting “as if he is the winner” of elections and alleged the mayor prefers officials he can control. Malema also referenced the recent replacement of the EFF speaker in Ekurhuleni as a point of contention.
The withdrawal is expected to destabilize governance in Gauteng, affecting budget processes and administration. Malema acknowledged that competent officials, such as the Gauteng MEC of Finance, would become “collateral damage,” but insisted the EFF could not remain in an arrangement that disrespects the party and serves individual interests.
He concluded that the ANC must abandon its “big brother” attitude in coalitions and recognize it is no longer governing alone.
