Bongani Baloyi, a former ActionSA leader in Gauteng, has resigned.
Bongani Baloyi, a former ActionSA Gauteng leader, left the organization after turning down the position of national spokesperson. The party said that there were now insurmountable differences between Baloyi and the national leadership, primarily on how the province should be managed.
Baloyi stated during a press conference that he couldn’t take part in the party’s demise. There was reportedly friction between him and Herman Mashaba, the party’s founder. These insurmountable divisions were identified as the reason for the party’s dissolution. Baloyi maintains he is unaware of the cause of Mashaba’s sudden mistrust.
Baloyi explained his decision to retire, stating that he couldn’t take part in the party’s demise. He claimed that after speaking with numerous leaders, it became clear to him that his ideas would not be accepted by the party. Moreover, Baloyi highlighted that it was untrue to say he was leaving ActionSA because he disagreed with Mashaba’s steadfast stance that the party would never collaborate with the ANC.
Although the party hasn’t made any particular comments regarding Baloyi’s resignation, it has been speculated that it will leave a significant gap in the party given that it comes so soon after he was named the head of Gauteng. Given that Baloyi was one of the party’s most well-known representatives in the province of Gauteng, his resignation is considered as a setback to the party’s plans to expand there.
Baloyi’s resignation was announced amid a COPE party leadership crisis that followed the removal of their mayor in Swane due to a scandal involving his insolvency.
As political parties battle to keep their members together, the happenings in the COPE party have prompted concerns about the stability of political parties in South Africa. the departure of Baloyi from ActionSA could be seen as a warning sign for the party as it seeks to expand its reach ahead of the local government elections.