ActionSA pulls reality TV host, EFF refuse to join Ekurhuleni mayoral committee

ActionSA and the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have rejected Ekurhuleni Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza’s newly reshuffled mayoral committee.

ActionSA pulled its member Xolani Khumalo’s inclusion in the committee, and dismissed claims that it had reached any arrangement with Xhakaza, calling the suggestions “entirely fabricated”.

Khumalo is the Action SA’s mayoral candidate for Ekurkhuleni in the upcoming local government elections. Previously, he was a reality TV presenter on Moja Love’s Sizok’thola.

The party said it had repeatedly refused invitations to join the committee, citing ongoing instability and the collapse of basic municipal services.

“We will not lend credibility to an administration that has overseen the lawless deterioration of service delivery that continues to cripple the city,” the party’s president, Herman Mashaba, said.

EFF criticises removal of its councillors

The EFF also rejected participation in the reshuffled committee, criticising Xhakaza for unilaterally removing its councillors from key positions. According to the EFF, Xhakaza removed:

• Cllr Bridget Thusi as MMC for Community Services
• Cllr Kgopello Hollo as MMC for Human Settlements

The EFF also said Xhakaza shifted Thembi Msane’s Water and Sanitation responsibilities to a newly created Metro Utilities (Trading) Services portfolio led by an ANC councillor Jean Sthato.

Xhakaza reportedly offered EFF councillors Thembi Msane and Leshaka Manamela alternative roles in the new mayoral committee.

The EFF declined and said it would remain in the opposition council benches to hold the executive accountable.

Will swearing-in continue after mayoral committee reshuffle?

The mayor’s reshuffled committee, composed of ANC and other coalition members, is due to be sworn in at the OR Tambo Government Precinct, Mayor’s Parlour, but it is uncertain whether it will continue, with the exclusion of a number of appointed members of the mayoral committee.