The African National Congress (ANC) and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have entered into a “working agreement” to govern Sol Plaatje municipality (which includes Kimberley) in the Northern Cape.

The ANC has a narrow majority on the council, holding 33 of the municipality’s 65 seats. The EFF has six seats.

The mayoral committee (effectively the city’s cabinet) was reshuffled, with two EFF councillors receiving portfolios.

According to the ANC’s provincial secretary, Deshi Ngxanga, a number of other municipalities in the Northern Cape are governed by ANC-EFF coalitions, including Phokwane, Siyancuma, and Gamagara.

The Common Sense understands that this could be a prelude to a governing arrangement between the ANC and EFF at provincial level in the Northern Cape, similar to that which was recently formed in Gauteng. Currently, the ANC holds 15 of the 30 seats in the provincial legislature, supported by the Freedom Front Plus with one seat. The EFF holds four seats.