DA withdraws from SALGA Gauteng conference

The Democratic Alliance representatives at yesterday’s SALGA Gauteng conference, representing the governments of Midvaal, Tshwane, Johannesburg and Mogale City, have withdrawn from the conference due to alleged underhanded dealings by the ANC that have attempted to hijack control of SALGA Gauteng.
The DA controls governments in Gauteng which have more than a 50% controlling stake in SALGA Gauteng, in terms of contributions, investment and interests, and the DA governs municipalities housing a vast majority of residents of Gauteng.
“It is thus only right and fitting that the DA holds significant representation on SALGA Gauteng’s Executive Committee and negotiations to this end were finalised with all parties to SALGA Gauteng prior to yesterday’s conference,” explained Mr Solly Msimanga, DA Gauteng Chairperson, in a media release.
“Yet today (30 September), when the SALGA Gauteng Executive Committee should have been elected, the ANC reneged on this agreement, refused to see the rightful seats taken up by the DA, and underhandedly attempted to hijack control of SALGA Gauteng.
“For this reason, the DA representatives have withdrawn from the SALGA Gauteng elective conference, and will not accept any outcomes from this conference as legitimate,” Msimanga said.
The DA withdrawal was joined by its coalition partner parties and the EFF, who all withdrew simultaneously.