The Democratic Alliance (DA) and ActionSA have welcomed the resignation of Al Jama-ah councillor Thapelo Amad as the City of Johannesburg mayor, ahead of a motion of no confidence against him, set for Tuesday. 

Both parties believe he did not meet the requirements nor display the temperament to hold the position and say his rise to mayor was owing to the African National Congress (ANC), Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the Patriotic Alliance.

The DA will nominate former City of Johannesburg mayor Mpho Phalatse as its mayoral candidate. 

The DA believes that the interests of the residents of Johannesburg are being compromised through the sabotage of service delivery.

ActionSA cemented its commitment to work with opposition parties to provide an ethical and sustainable coalition government. 

“We believe that to fix South Africa, we must remove the ANC and their proxies from minority parties from power. We will continue to explore all avenues to collaborate with like-minded political parties to achieve that goal and to restore good governance and quality service delivery to Johannesburg,” said ActionSA City of Johannesburg caucus leader Funzi Ngobeni.

DA Gauteng provincial chairperson Fred Nel noted that Amad resigned before the motion of no confidence to remove him.

“The combined coalition – which includes the ANC, Patriotic Alliance, EFF, and a group of smaller political parties that led Joburg – will decide on a candidate to replace Amad,” noted ANC Gauteng provincial chairperson Panyaza Lesufi.

The council meeting has been postponed to May 2 when a new mayor will be elected.