The ANC suffered a series of reversals in Gauteng last night, when its mayoral candidates lost to those put forward by the DA in Ekurhuleni and in Johannesburg.
The EFF, to the surprise of most commentators, voted for Mpho Phalatse in Johannesburg and Tania Campbell in Ekurhuleni, over the ANC’s candidates.
In both those cities the DA’s candidate for speaker also won – Vasco da Gama in Johannesburg and Richard Dlamini in Ekurhuleni.
In Johannesburg, Phalatse won 147 votes to the 121 received by incumbent and ANC candidate, Mpho Moerane. In Ekurhuleni, Campbell received the support of 116 councillors, with Mzwandile Masina getting 105.
In Nelson Mandela Bay, the ANC managed to gain the metro in a narrow win, with a hodgepodge coalition with seven other parties helping it over the line, Eugene Johnson being elected the new mayor. She won 60 votes to the 59 for the DA’s candidate.
In eThekwini, meanwhile, the meeting descended into chaos when it became clear that the ANC could lose the mayoralty there too.
It had secured the position of speaker by the barest of margins, after the IFP withdrew its support, allegedly unhappy that Mxolisi Kaunda would be the ANC’s mayoral candidate.
Following various disruptions the meeting was postponed to tomorrow.
Tshwane will also elect its office-bearers today.