Mashaba claims ‘informal’ approach by ANC as coalition talks start

The ANC has the highest number of votes in the Northern Cape and Eastern Cape, with the Democratic Alliance leading the Western Cape. 

Mashaba made the claim at the Independent Electoral Commission’s national results centre in Tshwane on Wednesday. 

The former Johannesburg mayor told a media briefing he was approached on Tuesday. 

“Ja, it was one of the top six. It was informal and really.. I was not prepared to entertain the discussion. It was the first and I was hardly half an hour here and at that time every media house wanted to speak to me. I said wait for my call and I am telling you that call will not come in 300 years.”  

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The local government elections has seen the ANC dipping below the 50% mark nationally for the first time in its history. 

In the major metros in Gauteng, the party is barely hitting the 40% mark. 

Mashaba remains adamant that his party will never go into a coalition with the ANC.

“Fellow South Africans, Action SA will never go into coalition talks with the AN C under any circumstances.”

By 13:00, 67% of the country’s votes had been counted.

The ANC still leads nationally at 46.36%.