By Lehlohonolo Lenana.
The African National Congress (ANC) Ekurhuleni chairperson Mzwandile Masina resigns as a councillor on Thursday, effectively avoiding a disciplinary hearing.
Masina who was the ANC’s caucus leader in the City of Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, stepped down voluntarily as a councillor after meeting with the officials of the party in Gauteng.
The announcement was made by the ANC’s provincial working committee (PWC) on Thursday following its meeting on Monday.
The PWC carries out day-to-day programmes, activities and instructions of the Gauteng provincial executive committee (PEC) – the ANC’s highest decision-making body in the province.
Masina is also expected issue a public apology to the party.
He had led an intense fight with the provincial leadership over the region’s desire to reclaim power in Ekurhuleni.
Earlier this month, the ANC’s Gauteng leadership said Masina would face disciplinary action for allegedly defying an instruction from the PEC to withdraw a motion of no confidence against the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) Tania Campbell in October.
Gauteng ANC leaders blamed Masina for compromising a possible coalition partnership with the EFF. They had been negotiating with the EFF for a possible takeover of hung metros in Gauteng.
“The officials provided a report that comrade Mzwandile Masina will offer a public apology to members of the ANC and also that he has voluntarily decided to resign as a councillor representing the ANC in the Ekurhuleni council,” said ANC provincial secretary Thembinkosi ‘TK’ Nciza.
The PWC wished Masina well in his endeavours and thanked him for his leadership as the former mayor of the metro.
“The City of Ekurhuleni under the stewardship and exemplary leadership of comrade Mzwandile Masina and his collective was a model for good governance.”
Masina served as Ekurhuleni mayor from 2016 to 2021.
The ANC received a reduced majority in Ekurhuleni following the 2021 municipal elections, damaging the party’s chances of forming a solid power bloc in the metro without the help of other opposition political parties, including the EFF.
Masina has bigger political ambitions this year, as he eyes the treasurer-general position in the ANC’s top six at the national conference in December.