Jordaan’s mayoral deployment an ANC gimmick: DA

The African National Congress’s (ANC) deployment of Danny Jordaan as the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro mayor is “nothing more than a pre-election gimmick by a party that has lost the confidence of the people”‚ the Democratic Alliance (DA) said.

The soccer boss was appointed following an intervention by senior ANC figures — including party secretary-general‚ Gwede Mantashe — who are visiting the region.

He replaces 82-year-old Ben Fihla‚ who has been able to unite the region and focus local government on delivery.

“No matter the public face of the ANC in Nelson Mandela Bay‚ it will still be the same party that has dragged the city to its knees‚” said the DA’s provincial party leader and mayoral candidate‚ Atholl Trollip.

“Clearly the ANC is running scared. They have failed in government and cannot find a suitable mayor among their own members in council.”

The ANC metro has been hamstrung by factional battles and is widely believed to be heading for an electoral defeat by the opposition DA in next year’s local government elections.

The ANC narrowly held onto the municipality in the 2011 local elections securing only 51.9% of the vote‚ dropping from 66.5% in 2006.

It is set to face a steep challenge from opposition parties in next year’s municipal polls‚ with the DA‚ newcomers the Economic Freedom Fighters and the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa’s United Front all lining up to take on the governing party.

Support for the DA grew from 24% in 2006 to 40% in 2011.

“In next year’s local government elections the DA is set on winning Nelson Mandela Bay and finally bringing good governance to this metro‚” Vowed Trollip.

“There is no new face to the ANC that can repair the deeply-rooted governance failures in Nelson Mandela Bay.”