The DA's relationship with the ANC could extend into the eThekwini metro, but this will depend on President Cyril Ramaphosa’s cabinet announcement.
The ANC is looking for new partners in eThekwini after it recalled mayor Mxolisi Kaunda following the collapse of its relationship with its coalition partner, the EFF.
This means that the ANC may have to rely on its partners in the government of national unity (GNU) to co-govern eThekwini municipality. The DA said informal talks are ongoing between the two parties.
“These are things that are quite sensitive and interlinked to the broader discussion around the GNU nationally. We have to await what comes out of the process this weekend with the president’s announcement of the cabinet, if the ANC are going to walk away or aren't going to honour the agreement. That would affect the decision we will take in eThekwini,” DA KwaZulu-Natal chairperson Dean Macpherson
“It has been agreed between us that at the appropriate time there will be a more formal discussion, but that formal discussion will only really follow on the conclusion of what the president does and whether the agreement is going to be honoured or not,” he explained.
The ANC with 40% of the vote, and the DA in second place with 22%, agreed to form a GNU along with smaller opposition parties.
ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula and DA leader John Steenhuisen have already indicated that the arrangement could spill over to the metros.
In eThekwini, with just 42.14% of the vote, the ANC had relied on the EFF and NFP to go over the line and govern the city.
However, the EFF rejected the GNU, which meant it was automatically excluded from the provincial government.
With the ANC now working with new partners, the DA, IFP and NFP, KZN EFF leader Mongezi Twala said the relationship between the two parties in eThekwini has now collapsed.
TimesLIVE Premium understands that the NFP’s relationship with the ANC is still intact.
IFP spokesperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa said it had not made a decision on whether it would support the ANC in the metro.
“All matters related to local government will be discussed at the next NEC on Monday,” he said.
Meanwhile, ANC KZN spokesperson Mafika Mndebele said the province was in the process of sending three names to national officials for interviews for the mayoral post.
TimesLIVE Premium understands that former MP Cyril Xaba is the preferred candidate.
“Cde Cyril did not make the cut in parliament, lobbying for him to come back and lead the metro is quite strong.
“Because this is the only metro under the ANC, there is appreciation for a strong candidate whose credibility is not under question, especially ahead of the 2026 local government elections,” an ANC insider said.
