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Margaret Arnolds Fights the Rumours: Joburg’s Coalition Isn’t Crumbling
Holding the Line in Turbulent Times
In a week of swirling political rumours and WhatsApp whispers, Johannesburg Council Speaker Margaret Arnolds has stepped forward with a clear message: the city’s coalition is not collapsing.
Speaking firmly on Wednesday, Arnolds, a councillor for the African Independent Congress (AIC), rejected reports suggesting the multiparty alliance governing Johannesburg was falling apart. “There is no coalition that has or is collapsing,” she said, emphasising that the city’s leadership remains stable despite the chatter.
A Digital Fallout Sparks Concern
Speculation about the coalition’s stability ignited after claims surfaced that some members had left a shared WhatsApp group used for internal coordination. The supposed exit of a few councillors triggered a wave of political gossip, interpreted by some as a sign of deeper fractures.
Arnolds, however, described the situation as an internal matter being handled with urgency. “This is receiving the utmost priority and attention from all coalition partners,” she explained, cautioning against premature conclusions while discussions continue behind closed doors.
She was also quick to condemn the leaking of internal conversations to the media. “Any leaks appear intended to create instability within the government,” she said. “We remain focused on maintaining unity and working constructively toward a resolution.”
Old Fault Lines, New Flashpoints
Johannesburg’s multiparty coalition has always been a delicate balancing act, stitched together from parties with vastly different priorities and ideologies. Since taking power, it has faced reports of infighting, shifting loyalties, and competing agendas.
The recent WhatsApp spat may seem trivial, but in political circles, even digital behaviour carries weight. Leaving a group chat, analysts say, can symbolise withdrawal of trust, and in a coalition already stretched thin, that gesture speaks volumes.
“Once communication breaks down, even symbolic acts like leaving a WhatsApp group can reveal deep mistrust,” one political analyst noted. “The Speaker may hold the line for now, but the cracks are evident.”
A Fragile but Functioning Alliance
For Arnolds, the priority is to project calm and confidence while steering the coalition through turbulence. Her remarks were measured yet assertive, reflecting both the tension and the need for discipline among partners.
The City of Johannesburg’s leadership remains a patchwork of political interests, and maintaining its stability has required constant negotiation. Analysts believe Arnolds’ statement was as much about reassurance as it was about control, a reminder that public unity, even in uncertain times, can be a powerful political tool.
No further comment will be made until coalition partners reconvene to decide on next steps. For now, the Speaker’s firm denial keeps Johannesburg’s political ship afloat, even as it sails through choppy waters.
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Source: IOL
Featured Image: News24
