"The two councillors joined 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.
Toni Molefe and Sipho Masigo arrived at the press conference dressed in bright yellow ANC 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 from 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."
Induction
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 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.
He said Molefe and Masigo occupied key positions in wards and played a central role in the Johannesburg DA caucus.
"Their resignation from the DA is further triggered by continuous authoritarianism of the leadership in that organisation, and deep divisions in the DA party."
Welcoming them, ANC Johannesburg region chair Parks Tau said they would add value to the ANC.
"The time of negative messaging is gone. We are responsible to build this country," he said.
He said he knew the two from the council chamber where they contributed in council debates.
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