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ActionSA has confirmed that its leader, Herman Mashaba, is willing to abandon his ambitions of becoming Johannesburg mayor, but only if the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) Helen Zille also withdraws from the race.

In a letter addressed to DA leader Geordin Hill-Lewis, Mashaba proposed a possible deadlock-breaking arrangement as part of the coalition negotiations in Johannesburg.

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Mashaba said that ActionSA is willing to work with the DA in the city, but only on condition that Zille steps aside from the mayoral race.

He has also committed to withdrawing his own mayoral bid if Zille does the same, in an arrangement that could pave the way for a coalition agreement between the two parties.

Mashaba and Zille have not seen eye to eye as coalition negotiations get underway.

Mashaba has previously made it clear that his party has no objection to working with the DA in the City of Gold, but opposes any arrangement that would see Zille become mayor.

In the leaked letter, Mashaba proposed that both he and Zille step aside from the mayoral race, allowing ActionSA to support the election of another DA candidate to the mayoral office.

ActionSA national chairperson Michael Beaumont has confirmed that the letter is authentic, reiterating that the party does not want Zille as Johannesburg’s mayor.

“Our issue in Johannesburg is not the DA; it’s Helen Zille. There remains an openness to work with all political parties, including the DA. That letter is a testament to that fact, as well as the fact that this is not all about Herman Mashaba,” said Beaumont.

The DA and ActionSA are set to meet for coalition talks on Thursday.

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