Johannesburg - Two Democratic Alliance councillors in Gauteng have defected to the ANC, the ruling party announced on Thursday.
“The two councillors join the ANC voluntarily after a long soul-searching on the most viable political organisation in the country,” provincial secretary David Makhura told reporters in Johannesburg.
The two, Toni Molefe and Sipho Masigo, arrived dressed in yellow African National Congress regalia.
Molefe wore an ANC T-shirt with a black beret and Masigo an ANC volunteer bib over a white shirt.
The two served as DA proportional representation councillors in the City of Johannesburg. Molefe was DA deputy chief whip and Masigo the party's deputy chairman in Gauteng.
Molefe said he was not expecting any perks in the ANC.
“We were willing to join. The DA must be worried of the Makhura train. It was in Tshwane. It went to Ekurhuleni and now is in Joburg,” Molefe said.
He was referring to two DA councillors in Tshwane and another two from Ekurhuleni who had already joined the ANC this month.
The two said blacks in the DA were not given room to grow.
“Darkies are always deputising... Sipho is the deputy chair. I am the deputy chief whip. Why are darkies always deputies in the DA?”
Masigo said joining the ANC was like coming home.
“I was born in an ANC family. It had been difficult at home to explain why I joined the DA.”
Makhura said the two would undergo a six-month induction.
“They will join the branches in their respective wards and participate to pursue the struggle with the same dedication,” Makhura said.
He denied that the ANC was poaching DA members. Makhura said the two, from Soweto, would be part of their election campaign in the area at the weekend.
Sapa