DA Rules Out EFF and MK Coalition in Nelson Mandela Bay

South Africa's Democratic Alliance (DA) has ruled out coalition agreements with the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) in Nelson Mandela Bay. DA leader Andrew Whitfield set out the conditions on Thursday as results from the November 4 municipal election were still being counted. He said the party would consider a coalition if it did not secure an outright majority. Whitfield said the DA's federal executive would meet at the weekend to establish a framework for negotiations. He said stability, governance and service delivery would take priority over the allocation of positions. “This is not about power, but stability,” Whitfield said. At 22:40 South African time on Thursday, a provisional snapshot with 73% of results captured put the DA at 41.04%, the African National Congress (ANC) at 27.52% and the EFF at 5.33%. Those figures were an incomplete count, rather than final election results. EFF mayoral candidate Sinawo Tambo said his party would use its negotiating leverage to enter government and implement its policies. ANC regional leaders acknowledged a decline in support, accepted collective responsibility and said national leaders would conduct coalition negotiations. South African Communist Party candidate Zanoxolo Wayile said his party's negotiations would need guidance from its national and provincial leadership.