[IN PROFILE] Gloves come off in the race for the Joburg mayoral chains

Last week, the election of a successor for Herman Mashaba was postponed in order for a legal opinion to be sought on what constitutes a majority of votes in the council. 

However, Gauteng MEC for  Human Settlements, Urban Planning and CoGTA, Lebogang Maile has said this is just "an excuse and a convenient way of avoiding democracy" and come what may, a new mayor needs to be elected on Tuesday. 

Should this not happen, he will be intervening to ensure stability in the municipality. 

Gauteng Premier, David Makhura has also said the provincial government will have no choice but to intervene should the City of Johannesburg fail to elect a mayor on Wednesday.

ALSO READ: MEC Maile to intervene in Joburg, Tshwane mayoral mayhem

The DA has acceded that the EFF are the kingmakers in the mayoral election. 

DA' Gauteng provincial leader, John Moodey said: "Should the EFF's candidate not make it....and they do not support a DA candidate, the ANC has more numbers than ourselves and our coalition partners together."

He says the DA's coalition partners are on board but, "Ultimately, it is up to the EFF who are kingmakers."

JacaNews takes a look at the candidates for the position of Johannesburg's mayor: 

The EFF is fielding Musi Novela as the party's preferred candidate to succeed outgoing mayor Herman Mashaba.

The chair of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Johannesburg has been the leader of the party’s Johannesburg caucus since its inception in 2013.

"The nomination follows the EFF decision that our governance experience and understanding of the inner workings of government at all levels, and our correct manifesto priorities place the EFF as the most suitable organisation to lead the City of Johannesburg," the EFF said in a statement upon announcing his candidacy. 

The DA put forward the name of Funzela Ngobeni. 

Ngobeni serving as MMC for Finance since 2018.

Moodey said Ngobeni was the subject of a rigorous selection process.

"We are confident that should he be elected as the Executive Mayor of the DA-led City of Johannesburg...he will continue the good work done by outgoing mayor Herman Mashaba by streamlining services in order to improve the lives of all residents," he said.

The most controversial candidate is the ANC's, Geoff Makhubo. 

In 2018, now former-mayor Mashaba brought criminal charges against  Makhubo, based on a report by investigative journalism unit AmaBhungane, saying he acted as a "strategic corrupter" between the City of Johannesburg and Regiment Fund Managers.

The AmaBhungane investigation revealed financial irregularities to the tune of R30m in Makhuno's favour. 

Makhubo, in return, spearheaded attempts to have a motion of no confidence passed against Mashaba during his tenure.