ANC confirms it will back ActionSA candidate for Tshwane mayoral position

JOHANNESBURG - The African National Congress (ANC) said that it would not be fielding its own candidate for the vacant position of Tshwane mayor as it did not have enough time to vet candidates.

The ANC said it would be supporting ActionSA's mayoral candidate, Dr Nasiphi Moya. 

The Tshwane council is due to meet on Wednesday to elect its fourth mayor in three years.

Eyewitness News understands that the ANC's national leadership was concerned about a lack of talent within the party's Tshwane caucus.

The ANC has deployed highly educated people to run the country’s metros. 

For example, in Ethekwini, Cyril Xaba has a master's degree in law. 

Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero has a master's degree in public management, while Ekurhuleni Mayor Doctor Xhakaza has a post-graduate degree in accounting. 

ANC Tshwane spokesperson, Bafuze Yabo, has confirmed they won't be fielding a candidate.

"The ANC would have had to go through a series of selection and nomination processes to satisfy the requirement of fielding a candidate. Those processes, having not been undertaken, the ANC will therefore be supporting a candidate to be fielded by ActionSA."

The ANC and ActionSA are due to hold a joint media briefing on Wednesday morning.