By Simon Nare
Herman Mashaba, leader of ActionSA and the party’s Johannesburg mayoral candidate, on Thursday welcomed the announcement of the local government election date, saying it would accelerate the party’s campaign to win control of major metros.
President Cyril Ramaphosa earlier announced that municipal elections will be held in November 2026.
In a telephone interview with Inside Metros, Mashaba said ActionSA would begin unveiling mayoral candidates next month, starting with five in Limpopo, with further announcements to follow in other provinces.
“We are very excited as ActionSA because now we know we are working towards something. It’s positive news. It’s quite exciting. We are ready,’ said Mashaba.
Mashaba said the party’s selection criteria focused on ethical leadership and a commitment to public service, citing Xolani Khumalo as an example.
“It’s a question of ethical leadership, hardworking, committed to public service where people join politics not to not to be rich. The criteria is your commitment to serving the society and not serving your own stomach,” he said.
He added that ActionSA was seeking candidates willing to confront crime and uphold the rule of law.
Mashaba also reiterated his stance on undocumented immigrants, vowing to intensify efforts to remove those in the country illegally, which he described as a threat to public safety.
He referred to recent incidents he alleged involved foreign nationals, including a kidnapping case in Vosloorus and a killing in Soweto, and said authorities must act decisively.
“Those are things that if anybody think that we must keep quiet, I can tell you that if I am going to be the last person standing to fight that these people should be sent back to their countries, I am happy to do that. People can call me names. They are most welcome to do that,” said Mashaba.
“Illegal foreign nationals are a national threat. They threaten the security of our country and anyone who think that we should not really attend to this matter is either a beneficiary of this criminality or is part that criminal activity.”
INSIDE METROS
