Ekurhuleni mayor’s ambitious power plan to become Gauteng premier

Though Mzwandile Masina left a ministerial position to become mayor of the country’s industrial metro, his ambitions have not stopped there, as he has apparently begun campaigning to succeed Gauteng ANC chairperson Paul Mashatile and Premier David Makhura.

City Press reports that Masina is expected to not complete his term as Ekurhuleni mayor, as the Gauteng elective conference is at the end of 2018 and his term expires in 2021. Sources in the ANC and (ANC Youth League) ANCYL in Ekurhuleni claim Masina has already begun grooming his successor, Lesiba Mpya, who also serves on the mayoral committee and is the chair of the regional ANCYL.

“Masina wants the province, he has indeed chosen Mpya as a successor because he trusts him more than others,” an insider said.

ALSO READ: Details: How riot police were disguised as parly bouncers at Sona 

Another source said Masina hoped all his hard work in campaigning for Dlamini-Zuma would pay off, with him being appointed chairman and premier of Gauteng.

Masina denied the claims, however, stating he would complete his full term.

“It’s dependent on the coalition. The only thing that can remove me is if the coalition falls apart; I’m not in control of that.

“When the provincial conferences come and I have got sufficient support, I will look at it at that particular point in time. But, in the ANC, you don’t wake up and say you are going to contest the province,” he concluded.

For more news your way, follow The Citizen on Facebook and Twitter.