ANC Johannesburg submits mayoral candidate nominations to Luthuli House
via The Citizen3 min read
The ANC in Johannesburg has submitted its list of mayoral candidate nominations to Luthuli House, with regional secretary Sasabona Manganye confirming the completion of their process. While Manganye did not disclose the nominees, reports indicate Loyiso Masuku is the Regional Executive Committee's top choice. Other names reportedly considered include activist Nhlanhla Lux, ANC veteran Reverend Frank Chikane, businesswoman Chichi Maponya, former MP Jabu Moleketi, Minister of Human Settlements Mamoloko Kubayi, Trade & Industry Minister Parks Tau, and businessman Tokyo Sexwale. Reverend Chikane has dismissed these reports as speculation, stating he does not comment on unconfirmed information. The ANC has not yet begun interviews for the mayoral candidates, a process expected to conclude by the end of June. Current Joburg mayor Dada Morero was not reportedly on the initial nomination list, though some insiders believe he could still be considered. Morero's inclusion in the Gauteng Provincial Task Team gives him influence within provincial ANC structures, and some speculate he might move to national government after local elections. Political analyst Ntsikelelo Breakfast suggests that a credible mayoral candidate alone may not be enough for the ANC to regain support in Johannesburg, citing the party's damaged brand due to institutionalized corruption and its reliance on past liberation victories over service delivery. ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula previously stated the part
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Citizen.
Must ReadJohannesburg city officials have defended their R10 billion wage agreement with the South African Municipal Workers Union Samwu despite facing significant financial challenges. Mayor Dada Morero and senior management appeared before the Standing Committee on Public Accounts to address findings by the Auditor-General of South Africa AG. Group CFO Tebogo Moraka explained that the city's creditor balance was approximately R7.5 billion at the end of May, with priority given to creditors of entities like City Power, Johannesburg Water, Pikitup, and Johannesburg Roads Agency. Moraka noted that prioritizing these entities, which are already in deficit, strains the city's finances, requiring selective payments based on monthly revenue. To improve revenue collection, a "revenue war room" has been formed, involving the CFO, city manager Floyd Brink, the COO, and managing directors of various entities. The city has also implemented measures to reduce financial waste, including weekly procurement and expenditure tracking. City manager Floyd Brink reported that Johannesburg still has R13.2 billion in unresolved unauthorized, irregular, fruitless, and wasteful expenditure, although R45.1 billion of such expenditure has been addressed in the last five financial years. Mbulelo Ruda, Johannesburg's group head of legals and contracts, stated that the Samwu deal, mandated by a CCMA ruling, aims for "justice redressed and institutional stability." He emphasized that the agreement's founding prin
The South African Police Service Saps has seized illicit goods valued at over R50 million and arrested more than 17,000 individuals nationwide in operations conducted between June 1 and June 7, 2026. Seizures include 90kg of suspected cocaine worth R36 million at Durban Harbour, illicit cigarettes valued at R3 million in Nelspruit, and R1.5 million in illicit tobacco in Limpopo. Additionally, illicit liquor worth over R9 million was confiscated in the Western Cape. During this period, 17,587 suspects were arrested, including 2,549 wanted individuals linked to serious and violent crimes. Among those apprehended were 2,399 undocumented foreign nationals, with the majority of arrests occurring in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. Other arrests include 1,564 for assault, 153 for murder, 157 for attempted murder, 135 for rape, 567 for driving under the influence, 196 for dealing in drugs, 3,115 for possession of drugs, 499 for illegal liquor dealing, and 26 for human trafficking. Authorities also recovered 127 unlicensed firearms, 1,898 rounds of ammunition, over R21 million worth of contraband and various drugs, and 59 hijacked or stolen vehicles. These operations are part of the ongoing Operation Shanela, targeting organized criminal networks involved in illicit trade, drug trafficking, illegal immigration, and other serious crimes.
Must ReadFive additional senior officers have been arrested in connection with the R360 million Medicare24 health tender, bringing the total number of police officers arrested in this matter since March to 26. The South African Police Service Saps confirmed the suspensions of these five officers, stating that internal departmental processes are underway and no further comment will be provided at this stage to preserve the integrity of these processes. Nine other officers, believed to be members of the tender's bid adjudication committee, were previously suspended and arrested. They were released on bail ranging from R40,000 to R80,000 and are scheduled to appear in court again on June 26. In late March, 12 police officers were arrested in raids conducted by the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption. The tender involves a contract awarded to businessman Vusimuzi 'Cat' Matlala for services to be rendered to Saps. Lieutenant-General Puleng Dimpane, then Saps CFO and current acting national police commissioner, informed parliament's ad-hoc committee on police corruption that the contract was flagged in March 2024. Dimpane also stated in November that an irregular expenditure related to the tender was confirmed in May of that year, and payments were halted under her instruction. Matlala appeared before the ad hoc committee in November, explaining his association with Medicare24 and his meeting with the company's owner, Mike van Wyk.