JOHANNESBURG - Seems like the ruling party’s plans to take over the City of Ekurhuleni have failed.
The ANC’s Mzwandile Masina says they made arrangements and negotiated to vote along with several minority parties but this didn’t go as planned when they failed to reach a middle ground.
Tania Campbell has now been re-elected as Ekurhuleni mayor after being ousted through a motion of no-confidence over a week ago.
She beat Jongizizwe Dlabathi with over 50 percent of votes.
"Our plan was to take over government having exposed its weaknesses. We did everything possible," said Masina.
"We negotiated with about seven parties, they voted with us today. We negotiated with other parties which we thought would be able to assist us to take over but we could not find each other."
The party remains adamant that Campbell is not fit to hold the position
Jongizizwe Dlabathi says the party spirit is not broken by this loss and that work will continue as usual.
"Ours is not about the position but the upliftment and building of our communities," he said.
"We remain determined to serve our communities as a party that is in opposition.
"Our spirit is not down and the work will continue until we regain the lost ground."