The DA could secure its first deputy mayoral post in KwaZulu-Natal, with Christo Botha likely to become the deputy mayor of uMhlathuze (Richards Bay) next week, when the council is due to vote on the position.
This follows last month’s signing of a ‘service delivery’ pact between the IFP and the DA, which would see the two parties work together on a variety of issues in hung municipalities.
The DA and the IFP, together with a number of smaller parties, currently govern the municipality.
In a statement, the DA in KwaZulu-Natal said: ‘Between the DA and the IFP, the uMhlathuze Municipality is making progress after years of looting and maladministration under the ANC, including the infamous R20 million “mayoral mansion” that was never completed. The DA believes that this closer working relationship between the DA and IFP is showing voters that we can work together to keep the ANC and EFF out of government, deliver services to the people of KZN and provide an alternative government for our province.’