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Sources within the ANC in Tshwane have told News24 the party could be naming former minister  of public works Thoko Didiza as its mayoral candidate for the upcoming local government elections.

“It is true and we welcome it,” the source claimed.

The ANC on Saturday announced its list of mayors for the upcoming Local Government Elections, but no candidate was named for Tshwane. Secretary General Gwede Mantashe told reporters at the time that the ANC NEC rejected candidates from Tshwane during the finalisation of its mayoral candidates.

“There are two names that have been taken back to Tshwane. We pulled out the third one. We said no, we can’t take this thing. Branches will be engaged and the Regional Executive Committee (REC) will be engaged so that everybody must support the name that is out forward,” he said.

Mantashe said the Tshwane region submitted its list of three candidates to the province but the provincial executive committee was dissatisfied with the choices.

The ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) proposed that its delegation meet the REC after which a name would be announced, he said. Mantashe said the delegation would be heading to Tshwane on Sunday for deliberation.

The decision is set to ruffle a few feathers as the initial list that was submitted had Mapiti Matsena leading the race for the top position, with current mayor Kgosientso Ramokgopa in second place.

Other mayors that were selected to contest the elections were:

Johannesburg:  Mayor Parks Tau

Ekurhuleni: Mzwandile Masina (who replaces Mayor Mondli Gungubele)

Mangaung: Olly Mlamleli

Buffalo City Metro: Xola Phakathi

Cape Town Metro: Xolani Sotashe

eThekwini Metro: Zandile Gumede

Nelson Mandela Matro: Danny Jordaan

News24