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‘EFF is Owed Nothing,’ ANC Shuts Down Transport MMC Tug-of-War
The battle over Johannesburg’s Transport MMC seat has sparked political theatre across the city, but the ANC has now drawn a firm line: the position belongs to the Patriotic Alliance (PA), not the EFF.
The Fallout from Kunene’s Exit
The seat opened up when Kenny Kunene, deputy president of the PA, resigned from the mayoral committee in July. His departure immediately stirred speculation that the EFF would demand the post as part of the coalition government’s delicate power-sharing arrangement.
By mid-September, the squabble had reached the desk of ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula. But the message from the ANC’s regional leadership in Joburg has been clear. Regional secretary Sasabona Manganye told The Citizen that the EFF already holds two MMC portfolios and “is owed nothing.”
Instead, Manganye said the ANC is consulting with its upper structures before Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda makes the official appointment.
Why the PA Is Holding On
The PA insists the seat was negotiated as part of the Government of Local Unity deal, a five-year pact meant to stabilise Johannesburg’s turbulent council. Spokesperson Steve Motale confirmed that the arrangement guarantees the PA control of the Transport portfolio for the duration of the term.
Initially, PA leader Gayton McKenzie had put forward 24-year-old Liam Jacobs for the role. But Jacobs has since been announced as the party’s mayoral candidate for Cape Town in next year’s local elections. Motale explained that Jacobs will step down as a Joburg councillor at the right time to relocate to the Western Cape, where he has built a following across communities.
That leaves the PA with the task of naming a new figure to replace Kunene in Johannesburg. According to Motale, the announcement will come soon, once Jacobs formally vacates his seat.
Kunene’s Next Chapter
Even as he stepped away from the MMC role, Kenny Kunene remains a central figure in Joburg politics. The PA has not ruled out fielding him as its mayoral candidate next year. Motale argued that Kunene’s time as acting mayor, coupled with his knowledge of the city’s challenges, makes him a strong contender.
However, questions remain. An independent probe is still underway into Kunene’s links with businessman Katiso “KT” Molefe, a controversial figure tied to serious criminal cases, including the murder of Pretoria DJ Oupa Sefoka, better known as DJ Sumbody. The PA has pledged that if the investigation produces damaging findings, Kunene himself has agreed to step aside.
For now, Motale says Kunene is focusing on his family and business interests and even returning to his roots as a DJ while the legal process unfolds.
Coalition Politics in the Spotlight
Johannesburg’s coalition politics are famously fractious, with frequent reshuffles and disputes over power-sharing. The latest standoff highlights the balancing act required to keep the Government of Local Unity intact.
The EFF’s frustration at being sidelined shows just how high the stakes are in Joburg’s council chambers. With elections on the horizon, every seat and every title counts not just for service delivery, but also for building momentum towards 2026.
For residents, though, the political back-and-forth over who wears the Transport MMC chain matters less than whether potholes get fixed and public transport runs smoothly. And on that score, the city is still waiting.
Also read: Zuma and MK Party Take Madlanga Commission to Court Over Judicial Allegations
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Source: The Citizen
Featured Image: News24
