Government

DA and EFF in secret coalition talks: report

Staff Writer

 ·31 Jul 2016

A report in the Sunday Times claims that political parties are already holding secret meetings to form coalitions in key metros, ahead of the elections on Wednesday, 3 August.

The final poll ahead of the elections, published by eNCA and Ipsos this week, has the Democratic Alliance winning the most hotly contested metros in the country – Nelson Mandela Bay and Tshwane, with Johannesburg.

Read: Final poll ahead of the elections shows DA winning three major metros

However analysts have said that the figures in the poll largely overestimates the DA’s power, with the ANC likely to keep control of at least two, if not all three metros come voting day.

This may force the likes of the EFF and DA to form councils in metros where the ANC is likely to retain power.

The Sunday Times reported that leaders of the opposition parties, including the DA, EFF, UDM, IFP and the United Front, among others, have been in talks ‘to gang up on the ANC in metros where the party could drop below 50%’.

ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe this week also opened the door to potential talks “if negotiations for coalitions prove necessary”.

“Coalitions are a consequence of results, not an aim of campaigns,” said Mantashe.

“The local, provincial and national leadership will be involved if negotiations for coalitions prove necessary. No one will sit and plan it in a corner.”

Read: ‘We won’t join the DA – the DA will join us’: Malema

The DA told the Sunday Times that the party had a strong chance of taking Tshwane, through a coalition with the EFF and other parties.

EFF chairman Dali Mpofu meanwhile, said his party would form coalitions with “anyone but the ANC”.

An internal ANC poll showed the party winning the Gauteng metros with a score of 56% in Johannesburg, 52% in Tshwane and 56% in Ekurhuleni.

A survey conducted by the DA meanwhile showed the ANC retaining control of Johannesburg – at 51%, and with a vote count of 48% in Tshwane, it would open the door for the DA and EFF to form a coalition.

The DA’s survey showed the DA winning Nelson Mandela Bay, with 48% of the vote.

The full report is available in the Sunday Times of 31 July 2016.

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