Tau vs Mashaba – who will be Joburg’s next mayor?

22 August 2016 - 10:00 By TML Digital

Will the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) stick to its guns and oppose the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) Herman Mashaba taking over as Johannesburg mayor?The Red Berets indicated that‚ while rejecting coalitions with other opposition parties‚ it would vote with the DA in hung councils to unseat the African National Congress (ANC).A snag in Johannesburg‚ however‚ is that the EFF has voiced it opposition to Mashaba as mayor‚ with EFF chairperson Dali Mpofu saying last week that it could not support the DA’s candidate comment as he had said the “poor can’t be trusted to rule”.Mashaba on Sunday retweeted a report about alleged shady dealings ahead of Monday’s vote - EWN Reporter ‏@ewnreporter : “The EFF has accused outgoing JHB Mayoral Committee Member Dan Bovu of attempting to bribe #EFFCoucillors to vote in favour of the ANC. MK”.The EFF had accused Bovu of calling its councillors and “offering them money to the value of R500 000 in exchange for them to vote with the ANC during the elections of the Johannesburg City Council tomorrow”.The EFF said it would be opening a case of bribery against Bovu‚ who denied the claim and said he‚ in turn‚ intends opening a case of defamation against the EFF.The ANC’s mayoral candidate‚ Park Tau‚ on Sunday said the party in “still in discussions” with other opposition parties."It has been very difficult… We've had to coordinate between ourselves‚ province and national [executive committees]. But I can confirm that the last set of discussions took place at a local level. We are now completely responsible for all the discussions taking place in the City of Johannesburg with other political parties‚" said Tau.Tau’s party failed to secure an outright majority‚ getting just over 44% of the vote‚ while the DA earned just over 38%. TMG Digital..

There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.

From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.

For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.

Already subscribed? Sign in below.



Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.