The leader of the African National Congress (ANC) in the City of Cape Town, councillor Banele Majingo resigned as leader of the opposition on Thursday and joined the Democratic Alliance (DA).
This has sent shockwaves through the political sector.
In a statement, Majingo said this move comes with careful consideration.
“I have come to realise that my personal values and principles are now more aligned with those of the Democratic Alliance. I am committed to their pursuit of clean governance and economic growth. I am increasingly impressed with their commitment to deliver for poor residents and the unemployed,” he said.
@iolnews The ANC's Caucus Leader in the City of Cape Town, Banele Majingo, has stunned the party after announcing he is joining the governing Democratic Alliance. #ANC #DA #CityOfCapeTown #BaneleMajingo #Politics
Majingo is a member of the finance and MPAC Committees.
DA Metro Chairperson, JP Smith welcomed this decision.
“We welcome him warmly as a member of the Democratic Alliance. Just yesterday, the Democratic Alliance welcomed members from the ANC, ACDP, and ARA. Today, the Leader of the Opposition in the City has done the same. We invite all South Africans to join us as we continue building the City of Good Hope,” Smith said.
The ANC in the Dullah Omar Region said it acknowledged Majingo’s resignation as leader of the opposition.
ANC regional spokesperson, Akhona Jonginamba, said while they do respect his choice, it was essential to clarify the context surrounding his departure and the motivations behind it.
“Councillor Majingo has been implicated in the Kgalema report, which highlighted serious concerns regarding the manipulated candidate selection process within the ANC. As early as last year, we communicated with the Provincial Executive Committee (PEC), urging a review of his position as leader of the opposition. The PEC was already in the process of approving the decision of the Regional Executive Committee (REC) to address these issues,” Jonginamba said.
The party said Majingo’s resignation is not a principled stand for governance as he claims; rather, it stems from his fear that he would face challenges in manipulating the candidate selection process for the upcoming 2026 Local Government Elections.
“His departure is ultimately a strategic move to safeguard his position in council and protect his salary, rather than a genuine commitment to clean governance. We view his resignation as an opportunity for renewal within our party. It is a clear indication that beneficiaries of wrongdoing are beginning to distance themselves as the ANC takes decisive steps towards unity and renewal,” Jonginamba said.
The party said ‘good riddance’.
“This is a good riddance, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to rebuilding a stronger, more transparent ANC that prioritises the needs of our communities,” Jonginamba said.
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