Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Mmusi Maimane on Tuesday warned the ruling African National Congress (ANC) that the arrogance of its leaders had led to the party’s poor showing at the polls in the country’s metros.

Speaking during an urgent debate introduced by ANC chief whip Jackson Mthembu, Maimane, said he had some sober advice for the ruling party.

“To my ANC colleagues on this side of the house, the lesson of this election is very clear – never take voters for granted,” he said.

“The voters are watching us and they will throw us out of office if we disrespect them.”

Maimane took a swipe at President Jacob Zuma, who during campaigning prior to the August local government polls, claimed that the ANC would rule until Jesus came.

“And so I say to my DA colleagues in the 33 governments we now lead: ‘Let us never arrogantly claim that we have a divine right to rule, or that we will govern until Jesus comes back. Let us govern with grace and humility. Let us listen to the people who put us into power’.”

The opposition party leader said the recent polls showed the country was at a “tipping point”, bringing with it the realignment of politics.

“The age of the arrogant dominant party is over. A new dawn of vibrant, multi-party politics is upon us.”

In the last week, the DA, in collaboration with other opposition parties, have taken control of several key metros, including Tshwane in the country’s capital city Pretoria, Johannesburg, the country’s economic hub, and the Nelson Mandela Bay metro in the Eastern Cape. It also managed to hold on to the Cape Town metro by winning two thirds of the vote in the Mother City.