Mashaba to launch new political party in August

The political party is expected to be launched in August 2020.

Mashaba, who resigned from the Democratic Alliance (DA) last year, said on Wednesday that the new political party will be targeting all “strategic" municipalities, especially those in Gauteng where the African National Congress (ANC) governs by less than 50%. 

"I can say with certainty that we will be contesting the three metros, where the ANC is under 50% in Tshwane, Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni.

"Our political parties will identify the municipalities that are strategic in nature and where we will win. We will govern in these municipalities and will demonstrate value by improving the lives of the people who live in those municipalities.”

The formation of the new party comes less than a year after Mashaba's resignation from the DA and as mayor of Johannesburg.

He resigned shortly after the re-election of Helen Zille as the DA’s federal council chair. 

Reports emerged earlier this year that former Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Gauteng chairperson Mandisa Mashego was in discussion with Mashaba about joining the new organisation.

However, Mashaba says he has not received any requests from Mashego.

Mashego resigned in April as the EFF's Gauteng chairperson in the Provincial Legislature, in apparent fall out with party President Julius Malema.