Veteran ANC politician Frank Chikane is expected to be announced as the ANC’s Johannesburg mayoral candidate on Saturday morning, despite reports that he has withdrawn from the race.
Sunday World can confirm that Chikane has not pulled out and remains in the race for the position.
Chikane emerged as the frontrunner in the race, which also includes ANC Johannesburg regional chair Loyiso Masuku and incumbent mayor Dada Morero.
Withdrawal rumour ‘a sinister ploy’
Sources close to Chikane said reports of his withdrawal were deliberately planted to confuse the public but declined to reveal who was behind what they described as an elaborate ploy.
“We do not know anything about Reverend Frank Chikane pulling out. He is still willing to be the mayoral candidate and serve the people of Johannesburg. This is a deliberate smear campaign, and they want him to react,” said the source.
“Ask yourself why these bogus stories are unleashed on the eve of his announcement.”
READ:ANC Joburg leadership race heats up after nominations
Chikane’s clean image a key consideration
Chikane has received backing from the ANC top 7, and many ANC stalwarts because of his spotless record and the respect he commands in society.
This is while Masuku was initially bandied about as a strong contender banking to benefit from gender parity politics.
She received the highest number of votes from the ANC Johannesburg Regional Executive Committee, strengthening her position in the mayoral race. But this was not convincing for the top brass which has the final say.
Morero on shaky ground
Morero’s standing in the ANC has weakened over the past year since he was appointed mayor with the decay of the City making his position untenable.
He lost to Masuku in the regional chairperson race and also failed to secure enough support to win a seat on the ANC Johannesburg REC, at the regional conference. As things stand, Morero is an ordinary branch member of the former liberation movement.
His failure to make it onto the REC has further complicated his bid for the mayoral candidacy, despite him being the incumbent mayor.
The ANC is expected to formally announce its candidates in Sandton on Saturday morning, bringing an end to an increasingly intense contest over who will lead the party into the next phase of its battle for major municipalities across the country.
- Frank Chikane remains the ANC's frontrunner and is expected to be announced as the Johannesburg mayoral candidate on Saturday, despite rumors of his withdrawal.
- Sources close to Chikane described the withdrawal rumors as a deliberate smear campaign intended to confuse the public.
- Chikane has the support of the ANC top 7 and many party stalwarts due to his clean record and respect in society.
- Loyiso Masuku received the highest votes from the ANC Johannesburg Regional Executive Committee but lacked final backing from the ANC leadership.
- Incumbent mayor Dada Morero's position weakened after losing the regional chairperson race and failing to secure a seat on the ANC Johannesburg REC.
