Ghost of Juju looms large in metro fight

Julius Malema's expulsion from the ANC is a mistake that has come back to haunt the party as the EFF may eat into its votes.

Tshwane mayor Kgosientso Ramokgopa this week told the Sunday Times that the EFF's growing popularity posed a serious threat to the ANC in the region going into the August poll.

Ramokgopa also believes that the recent dismissal of another popular ANC leader in Tshwane, George Matjila, the former deputy regional secretary, could cost the party dearly if this is not managed properly.

Tshwane is among the metros where the ANC is under threat. Since its launch in 2013, the EFF has made inroads in the region.

Ramokgopa, the ANC's regional chairman in Tshwane, said his party was well aware of the threat posed by the EFF. In the 2014 general elections, the ANC got just more than 50% of the votes in Tshwane.

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"His [Malema's] expulsion from the party was unfortunate and we have to take lessons from it.

"We can't wish him and others away, and going into these elections, we will have to double our efforts to retain the vote," said Ramokgopa.

"That is why we should look [at] and analyse our situation and admit mistakes and correct them ... That is why we are also responding to concerns raised by our middle class and we believe that the ANC should not bury its head in the sand, but engage all sectors - no matter how difficult some questions are."

Ramokgopa's statements are in line with those made by other ANC leaders, who asked not to be named. They, too, observed that the EFF's popularity was growing in townships around Pretoria.

Ramokgopa said ANC infighting in Tshwane was also a concern and likened Matjila's firing to another "Malema mistake".

Matjila was expelled after the ANC provincial disciplinary committee found him guilty of misconduct.

He is appealing the decision.

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"George is popular ... in fact, he is the most popular leader and we are alive to that fact," said Ramokgopa.

Even if the ANC was to hang on to Tshwane, Ramokgopa's return as mayor is not guaranteed as there are growing calls for his removal.

The ANC national executive committee has taken a decision to select senior leaders with good records as mayoral candidates.

Ramokgopa said that, under his watch, the metro had improved services to ratepayers and his administration was responsive to the growing needs of young people.

"We should be judged by what we do in the city and how we continue to drive progress. Our people want delivery and while they are concerned about local and national politics, they want to be serviced.

"That is why our spending is aimed at growing our economy."

Ramokgopa said the poll would be won or lost on how the ANC responded to its current challenges.

"But I'm confident we will win."

However, Solly Msimanga, the DA's candidate in Tshwane, has repeatedly said the metro is up for the taking.