ANC and PA back on good terms in Johannesburg

The African National Congress (ANC) says it is now back on good terms with the Patriotic Alliance (PA), after the party threatened to pull out of the Government of National Unity (GNU).

Last week, the PA gave the ANC an ultimatum to either reinstate its deputy president – Kenny Kunene as MMC for transport in Johannesburg – or it would pull out of every coalition it has with the ANC.

Kunene resigned from the position in July after he was found at the home of suspected criminal underworld boss Katiso ‘KT’ Molefe during a police raid.

A legal report, commissioned by the PA, recently cleared Kunene of any wrongdoing.

 On Friday, Johannesburg mayor and ANC councillor Dada Morero reappointed Kunene as the transport MMC.

Speaking at a media briefing in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni, on Saturday, ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula said they should have resolved this matter earlier with their coalition partner.

“Because the people of Johannesburg did not give us an overwhelming majority to govern on our own; if that was the case, we would be able to talk a different story. We don’t determine for a political party who they must serve in local council; it’s a decision of a party on its own, like it has happened with the PA.” Mbalula said.