South Africa's ANC suffers heavy blow following coalition snub

Pretoria. (NMG) South Africa’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has snubbed the ruling African National Congress (ANC), handing power to the white-controlled Democratic Alliance (DA) in four Gauteng metros.

The EFF on Wednesday announced during a press briefing in Johannesburg that while it would not form a coalition with the DA, it would vote with the DA in the Nelson Mandela Bay, Ekurhuleni, Tshwane and Johannesburg.

“We are not co-governing, we will not compromise the brand EFF – we will vote for the opposition because the ANC must be removed from power and this is the start of removing the ANC from power,” said Mr Malema.

None of the parties won outrightly in the recent elections, forcing them to get into partnerships to form a majority.

Following the EFF decision, DA's mayors will run four metros - Nelson Mandela Bay, Tshwane, Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni.

Mr Malema explained that their decision to snub the ANC was over failure to meet proposed conditions, which included the removal of President Jacob Zuma, amendment of the Constitution and free education.

“I’d rather be a sell-out and give power to the white (DA)... The ANC has chosen Zuma over the metros,” said Mr Malema.

He added that the EFF was the ANC’s biggest enemy and handing ‘power’ back to it would be selling out the electorate.

“We can’t be neutral, if we are neutral it means we are sell-outs and cowards it means we don’t want to take a stand. We have taken a stand and we are voting for the opposition,” he said.

Mr Malema admitted that having to choose between the ANC and the DA was a tough decision.

“We were caught between two devils and we had to choose and we could not be neutral. We have heard you South Africa – we will not go into bed with the ANC.”

He assured South Africans that ideological differences between his party and the DA will not affect service delivery.

“We are happy to say to our people we will not be going into a coalition with anyone. Therefore the EFF will be assuming its seats as the opposition. We feel very strong that the EFF must earn its position in the municipalities and provincial government. The EFF must not want to get power through a short cut,” said Mr Malema.