The resignation of Johannesburg mayor Thapelo Amad would only deepen political instability in South Africa’s economic hub. The ANC-EFF backed Al Jama-ah councillor resigned on Monday night, ahead of a scheduled motion of no confidence in him.
Speaking in an interview on Salaamedia, Professor Sam Koma from the North West University (NWU) said the “writing was on the wall”. He went on to suggest Amad had lost the confidence of the coalition partners who parachuted him to power in the first place.
“It is not surprising at all. It is clear that the coalition partners, comprising the ANC, EFF, Patriotic Alliance and Al Jama-ah, has lost confidence in Amad continuing to serve in the role as executive mayor of the City of Joburg,” he said.
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Instability
Johannesburg has had no less than eight mayors in the past two years. Several were ousted in motions of no confidence, with two having passed away while in office. Service delivery is one of the greatest concerns.
“This is a clear demonstration of political instability in the office of the mayor in the City of Joburg,” said Koma.
He stated Amad’s resignation, not even three months into the job, would hamper service delivery to residents of the crippled city.
“This will disrupt the implementation of, for example, the Integrated Development Plan of the city, the municipal budget plus other critical service delivery programmes that are supposed to be executed by the administrative component of the city.”
Meanwhile, City of Johannesburg Speaker Colleen Makhubele lauded Amad for “the many things that have been done right” under his mayorship.
“As the legislature that has oversight on that process, we are quite pleased and amazed at how fast they have moved to clean the streets, to clear potholes, open clinics, and also to address issues of economic development,” she said.
