ActionSA Gauteng chairperson Bongani Baloyi has resigned. Baloyi resigns from ActionSA only a year after he joined the party from the Democratic Alliance. The former Midvaal mayor said he left as there were trust issues between him and founding President Herman Mashaba.

TRUST ISSUES

During a media briefing in Sandton on Monday, Baloyi said Mashaba told him that he could no longer work with him, citing trust issues and how he ran the province. "I was baffled at that moment because I could not understand how in one breath he could say there were trust issues and in another say we should work in such close proximity as the party's national spokesperson. I asked Mashaba for time to process this request. In a follow up meeting with him and the party's national chairperson, Michael Beaumont, I told the pair that I was unable to accept the national spokesperson offer," said Baloyi. Baloyi added that he made the decision to leave the party after consultations with various leaders.  "In politics, you don't lead alone. It's not about Bongani, there are leaders who I lead with and who I take guidance from, and they were upset and confused, but ultimately they were of a view that we don't believe that you are still needed in this party because how do you remain in this party when the president says he doesn't trust you and the relationship is beyond repair,' he asked. 

IRRECONCILABLE DIFFERENCES

In a statement, ActionSA said that Mashaba and Baloyi had been engaging in several meetings but failed to reach common ground. On the 6th of March, Mashaba offered Baloyi a position as the national spokesperson, demoting him from his leadership role as the Gauteng chairperson. "While it is evident that irreconcilable differences exist between Baloyi and ActionSA's national leadership, these issues relate to differences arising from the running of the province. "ActionSA's national leadership thanks Baloyi for his service to ActionSA and wishes him well in his future endeavours," read the statement.

NEW GAUTENG CHAIRPERSON 

Just a few hours after Baloyi announced his resignation, ActionSA announced Funzi Ngobeni as their new Gauteng leader. The announcement was made by Mashaba who said Ngobeni's nomination was met widely with support. "Ngobeni was amongst the first to join ActionSA in the early days and has proven his ability to lead the structures of ActionSA. He previously served as the National Director of Operations and was responsible for setting up structures of ActionSA across the country. 

"It is imperative that our structures in Gauteng are led effectively towards the purpose of ActionSA being the alternative to failed ANC governance. We wish Ngobeni well and are confident that his leadership will put Gauteng on the path to victory in 2024.'  Beaumont