The African National Congress (ANC) in the West Rand has given Mogale City Mayor, Danny Thupane, an ultimatum to either resign from his position or face removal through a motion of no confidence. Thupane, a member of the African Transformation Movement (ATM), has been targeted by the ANC as part of their broader strategy to solidify control over municipalities in Gauteng and other areas under coalition governance. This move aligns with the ANC’s push for a new coalition framework that would allow the party with the most votes to take control of key local government positions.
According to the ANC’s regional secretary, the demand for Thupane’s resignation is based on an agreement within the Government of National Unity (GNU) that the party with the majority should lead the coalition in local governments. The ANC, despite not securing an outright majority, has used this framework to reclaim strategic positions in councils across the country, positioning itself as the dominant force in South Africa’s hung councils.
Thupane, likely seeking to avoid the embarrassment of a no-confidence vote, preemptively submitted his resignation letter to the speaker of the council on Wednesday 16 October 2024. This decision reflects the ongoing shifts in party alliances and the growing influence of the ANC in the political landscape at the municipal level post the formation of the GNU.
Reference: https://www.ewn.co.za/2024/10/16/atms-danny-thupane-resigns-as-mogale-city-mayor
Author: Boikanyo Nkwatle
