Inside the DA and EFF coalition talks
Delicate negotiations between the Democratic Alliance (DA) and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF)‚ which started at 10am on Wednesday‚ are underway at a hotel in Johannesburg. On the table is how both parties will split power between them to unseat the African National Congress (ANC) and govern Modimolle and Thabazimbi in Limpopo‚ in addition to Tshwane‚ the City of Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni.Well-placed sources‚ who are close to the negotiations‚ told TMG Digital that the DA was willing to surrender its power in Modimolle and Thabazimbi municipalities.And in the three key Gauteng metros the DA planned to co-opt EFF members by giving them positions in the mayoral committees. At the beginning of the meeting both parties reflected on their manifestos to identify their similarities and differences."In areas where both parties differed sharply‚ they compromised and settled for the middle ground‚" said a source with knowledge of the discussions.The EFF has a substantial number of votes in Modimolle and Thabazimbi municipalities in Limpopo‚ but not an outright majority to enable the party to govern without support. The EFF had a great run in the two municipalities. In Thabazimbi the ANC got 45.3%‚ followed by the EFF with 20.24% and the DA had 18.52%.In Modimolle the ANC got 47.58%‚ followed by the DA with 24.11% and EFF with 19.44%. Both of these municipalities provide an opportunity to govern for the EFF."The EFF want to get itself in government through Modimole and Thabazimbi‚ and the DA delegation has committed itself in principle‚ but it still has to consult the party's national leaders‚" the source said. The EFF was offered positions in the mayoral committees of Ekurhuleni‚ Tshwane and City of Joburg in exchange for supporting the DA.Sources dismissed claims that the DA had agreed that the EFF take over Tshwane and allow it to govern the City of Joburg."DA negotiators have made it clear that they will never give the EFF Tshwane‚ the capital city. Maybe Ekurhuleni but not Tshwane‚" said the informant.Click on the map below to see all the municipalities and metros where coalitions are needed: Map courtesy Paul Berkowitz..
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