Herman Mashaba

South African main opposition party Democratic Alliance newly elected Johannesburg Mayor Herman Mashaba gives an interview to Agence France-Presse on September 7, 2016 at his office in Johannesburg, South Africa. – For the first time since apartheid, the city’s mayor is not from the African National Congress (ANC), but instead from the pro-business Democratic Alliance (DA) opposition party. And Herman Mashaba, a millionaire who made his fortune in black hair products, has set himself the ambitious goal of transforming South Africa’s economic capital. (Photo by GIANLUIGI GUERCIA / AFP)

ANC: Mashaba is escaping “soon to be exposed truth” about Joburg finances

Mashaba’s real reason for vacating his mayoral position, according to the ANC in Joburg.

Herman Mashaba

South African main opposition party Democratic Alliance newly elected Johannesburg Mayor Herman Mashaba gives an interview to Agence France-Presse on September 7, 2016 at his office in Johannesburg, South Africa. – For the first time since apartheid, the city’s mayor is not from the African National Congress (ANC), but instead from the pro-business Democratic Alliance (DA) opposition party. And Herman Mashaba, a millionaire who made his fortune in black hair products, has set himself the ambitious goal of transforming South Africa’s economic capital. (Photo by GIANLUIGI GUERCIA / AFP)

The ANC has thrown its weight around the recent news regarding Herman Mashaba. According to Johannesburg’s main opposition, the exiting mayor needs to be candid about the ‘real’ reason behind his resignation.

Why is Herman Mashaba vacating his post?

Mashaba, who has been vocal about his feeling towards the inevitable return of DA leader, Helen Zille, held true to his word and tendered his resignation as the mayor of Johannesburg, and member of the party.

He noted that it was a decision that was guided by his fight for a better South Africa. According to the mayor, his decision came after Zille, expectedly beat Athol Trollip, Mike Waters and Thomas Walters for the federal chairperson job at the party’s federal council meeting held in Johannesburg over the weekend.

“I cannot reconcile myself with a group of people who believe that race is irrelevant in the discussion of inequality and poverty in South Africa in 2019. I cannot reconcile myself with people who do not see that South Africa is more unequal today than it was in 1994,” were Mashaba’s parting words.

His leader, Mmusi Maimane, visibly disturbed by the development, could do nothing but accept the resignation of a man who has been revered as the best mayor Johannesburg has had in years.

“I would have preferred for Herman Mashaba to finish the term but in lieu of the circumstances, I respect his decision…you are a hero, you are a hero to me,” Maimane said

ANC warns of an incoming exposè

Mashaba even received warm words of comfort from his opposition, the EFF, who in a statement, regarded him as “one who never arrogated himself into a leadership style as if the DA had won with an outright majority”.

However, the ANC in Johannesburg has accused Mashaba of being opportunistic. The party believes that his reason for vacating his position has very little to do with the DA’s politics.

Instead, Mashaba is allegedly running away from accountability.

“His resignation is informed by the dire financial crisis that he has plunged the city of Johannesburg into. He has over time been able to get away with lies about the financial affairs of the city,” ANC regional spokesperson, Jolidee Matongo said.

He noted that Mashaba’s mismanagement of Joburg’s finances would soon be exposed. Matongo warned that, in the days to come, the country would find out just how broke the city is. He said the situation is so bad, the City of Joburg may not afford to pay salaries and cover daily expenses.

Regarding Mashaba’s reason behind the decision, Matongo shrugged it off as an excuse.

“Just because he lost a battle in the party, he throws his toys out of the cot,” he said