Coalition jockeying as ANC NEC meets and the 'Council of the Left' forms
Stations across the dial tracked the 14-day scramble to form municipal governments after the ANC slipped to about 30% nationally. The ANC NEC met at the Birchwood Hotel in Boksburg, where spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu dismissed speculation that President Ramaphosa would resign. At the same venue, the EFF, SACP, MK Party and others launched the Council of the Left, representing roughly 20% of the vote. The bloc vowed not to back ANC-led coalitions that include the DA. Meanwhile, ActionSA described its talks with the DA over Johannesburg and Tshwane as productive.