EFF and ActionSA reject Ekurhuleni Mayoral Committee reshuffle

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and ActionSA have rejected the reconfiguration of the City of Ekurhuleni’s mayoral committee, in what appears to be a brewing political storm.

Residents woke up to a reshuffled mayoral committee today, after Executive Mayor Nkosiphindile Xhakaza, announced changes to his administration.

Xhakaza made several changes, including replacing the EFF’s Bridgette Thusi with ActionSA councillor Xolani Khumalo in the Community Services portfolio.

He also removed the EFF’s Bridgette Thusi as MMC for Human Settlements.

The EFF has declined the offer to serve on the reconfigured committee, saying it is comfortable remaining in the opposition benches.

“It is crystal clear that these changes are not made in the best interests of the people of Ekurhuleni, but rather to satisfy selfish political interests and to boost fragile egos within the ANC,” the part said in a statement. “The ANC and Mayor Xhakaza are hellbent on demonstrating that selfish political maneuvering and internal factional battles are more important to them than the interests of the people of Ekurhuleni.

“This pattern is not new. It has been consistent since the removal of Commissar Nkululeko Dunga as MMC for Finance in 2024, immediately after he had turned that department around and stabilised its operations,” the party added.

Meanwhile, Action SA also rejected any suggestion that it would join what they’ve described as a failing government.

“This statement is entirely fabricated and does not reflect any engagement or agreement involving ActionSA,” the party said.

ActionSA maintains it has previously rebuffed what it describes as attempts by Xhakaza to draw the party into his administration.

“Our position has been very clear on every occasion that we will not lend credibility to an administration that has overseen the lawlessness and deterioration of service delivery that continues to cripple the city,” the party said. The people of Ekurhuleni are tired of dysfunction, lawlessness and the collapse of basic municipal services.”

“ActionSA’s focus remains on restoring governance, cleaning out corruption, restoring the rule of law and fixing the fundamentals of service delivery.”

The EFF’s Statement on Pronounced Changes to the Ekurhuleni Mayoral Committee

– The EFF informs the people of Ekurhuleni, Gauteng and South Africa that we have declined the offer to form part of the Mayoral Committee in the City of Ekurhuleni and will humbly and gracefully… pic.twitter.com/tFKkXqRScx

— Economic Freedom Fighters (@EFFSouthAfrica) February 18, 2026

“ActionSA categorically distances itself from a false media statement currently circulating, which purports changes to the Mayoral Executive in Ekurhuleni.

This statement is entirely fabricated and does not reflect any engagement or agreement involving ActionSA.…

— ActionSA (@Action4SA) February 18, 2026

Written by: Lindiwe Mpanza