EFF leader Julius Malema has ordered his party to stop all cooperation and working relationship with the ANC in Gauteng.
Malema made the announcement after accusing the ANC of breaking agreements in co-governance. The two parties had an arrangement where the EFF supported Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s minority government in the province. They also worked together in metropolitan municipalities like Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni, and Tshwane.
The trouble started in Ekurhuleni. The EFF felt disrespected when the ANC acted alone to sideline EFF officials without discussion. Malema said this showed the ANC treated the EFF like a junior partner instead of an equal.
“We have taken a decision not to work with the ANC,” Malema said. “In co-governance, no one rules by himself. You rule by consensus.”
He stressed that political decisions have consequences. The EFF will no longer vote for anything the ANC tables in the Gauteng Legislature. This includes the upcoming provincial budget.
If the ANC removes any EFF member from a mayoral committee (MMC) position in any municipality, all EFF MMCs in that municipality will resign immediately.
The EFF also warned it will support motions of no confidence against ANC mayors in Gauteng metros.
This move ends a fragile setup that began after past elections. The ANC needed EFF votes to pass key decisions like budgets because it did not have a full majority.
Political analysts say this could cause big instability. Without EFF support, the Gauteng government may struggle to pass budgets or other laws. Municipalities could face leadership crises, service delivery problems, and even possible collapses in coalitions.
The ANC has not yet given a full official response, but sources say talks to fix things have failed so far.
Malema made it clear the EFF puts principles first. He said the party will not accept being used or disrespected anymore.
This development shows how tricky coalitions can be in South African politics. With local elections coming soon, parties must find new ways to work together or face more uncertainty for residents in Gauteng.