The sudden resignation of Ekurhuleni's finance committee member Jongizizwe Dlabathi has left the municipality's R51-billion budget in limbo, just weeks before it was due to be tabled. The move follows Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza's recent reshuffle that reduced the EFF's positions and prompted their withdrawal from the coalition. This has plunged the metro into deeper political uncertainty.
Ekurhuleni Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza faces fresh challenges after the resignation of Jongizizwe Dlabathi, the mayoral committee member for finance and strategy, as well as the ANC's regional secretary in the metro. Dlabathi, who assumed the role just over a year ago, was set to present the city's R51-billion budget in the coming weeks. His departure, announced in a letter to ANC national and provincial leaders, states it is a 'deeply considered resignation' in the best interest of the party and its regional functioning. In the letter, Dlabathi expressed humility for the opportunity to contribute to organisational work, service delivery, development, and good governance.
The resignation occurred hours after Xhakaza appointed three new committee members on Wednesday night: Nkgopotse Mekgwe for human settlements, Siyabonga Moloi for community services, and Dora Mlambo for economic infrastructure and development. Mlambo, the former council speaker, had called a council meeting for Thursday, 26 February, but resigned with immediate effect, leading to chaos as EFF councillors entered singing struggle songs. The meeting was adjourned before lunch, with the city manager now tasked to reschedule it.
This comes amid Xhakaza's reshuffle that cut the EFF's mayoral positions from four to two, aiming to include ActionSA, without prior consultation according to the EFF. The party has rejected the positions and exited the coalition, stating they were overrepresented previously. Dlabathi had defended the changes last week, noting consultations with ANC's national coalition team.
With the council's 224 seats split—ANC holding 86, DA 65, EFF 31, and others—the ANC-led coalition has lost its majority. The EFF's Nkululeko Dunga, Dlabathi's predecessor who was fired in 2023, said, 'We will vote against the ANC at every opportunity.' Several parties are considering a no-confidence motion against Xhakaza, following a withdrawn one in March 2025. The instability also impacts the Gauteng provincial budget process.
