Tshwane coalition fractures as parties clash over city manager suspension

Cracks have appeared in the governing coalition in the City of Tshwane after a dispute over the suspension of city manager Johann Mettler. The disagreement was reported on 5 August 2026 as the parties ActionSA, the EFF and the ANC traded criticisms ahead of the November local government elections.

What happened

ActionSA voted against the suspension of Johann Mettler, a move that has deepened divisions within the coalition. The EFF and ANC have both criticised the mayor and the administration in the wake of the decision.

ANC accuses mayor of hostility toward township businesses

The ANC’s Greater Tshwane regional secretary, George Matjila, condemned what he described as a campaign by the municipality that targets township enterprises. Matjila said the regional executive committee condemns what he called Moya’s declaration of war against black entrepreneurs.

“Instead of introducing progressive and pragmatic programmes to help emerging black-owned businesses comply with city regulations, this mayor has chosen the path of economic vandalism,”

“The deployment of municipal machinery to smash, bulldoze and wipe out the informal structures of hard-working citizens is an act of unmitigated cruelty.”

Matjila said the ANC would not stand by and watch and demanded an immediate cessation of these hostile operations, calling for the mayor to report to ANC leadership and local councillors in affected wards.

EFF to appeal reinstatement decision

The EFF’s MMC for health, Tshegofatso Mashabela, said the EFF will appeal an interim decision to reinstate the city manager. The party had lodged a 45-page complaint against Mettler the previous month.

“Unfortunately, the mayor’s statement reflects the position of her political party [ActionSA] and its funders, not that of the multiparty coalition or the city as a whole. The matter is far from over and the legal process will continue,”

Mashabela also criticised ActionSA’s management, saying the party was managed by the Free Market Foundation and naming national figures associated with ActionSA’s leadership.

ActionSA response

ActionSA leaders said they were not disturbed by the attacks. Michael Beaumont said ActionSA rejected both the suspension of Mettler and the return of chief financial officer Gareth Mnisi, and that the party would focus on the continued turnaround of Tshwane.

“ActionSA rejected the suspension of Mettler and the return of [chief financial officer] Gareth Mnisi,”

Beaumont said other parties were welcome to focus on ActionSA while it continued with its agenda.

Where things stand

The reporting indicates the dispute remains unresolved: ActionSA voted against Mettler’s suspension, the EFF intends to pursue legal avenues to appeal an interim reinstatement decision, and the ANC has publicly condemned the mayor’s actions toward informal traders.