JOHANNESBURG - ActionSA has emerged as a decisive kingmaker in Gauteng's coalition talks.
Strong election results in Johannesburg and Tshwane have given the party more power at the negotiating table.
Party insiders say they are already making tough demands.
Parties are now under pressure and have 14 days to conclude coalition negotiations in hung municipalities.
Newly elected councils are mandated by the Constitution to convene to elect mayors, speakers and other office-bearers in 14 working days after the results have been gazetted.
Party insiders say ActionSA is willing to work with the DA in Johannesburg as long as Zille is not involved, even if this means that Mashaba gives up his bid to be mayor.
Political analyst Dirk Kotze says this will need to be a calculated thought for the party. This is as this will affect who voted specifically that Zille be mayor of the metro.
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He says keeping incumbent Tshwane mayor Nasipho Moya in office will be crucial for ActionSA.
"It's even more important than Mashaba being in the position," says Kotze.
"The fact that they took so many votes from the ANC in Tshwane is really party of that, not necessarily her performance," he says.
- eNCA's Aviwe Mtila reports.