JOHANNESBURG - The African National Congress (ANC) calling for non-party mayoral candidates is not a sign of a leadership crisis.
Johannesburg mayor, Dada Morero says this is a process in which they are calling for public involvement.
The party has called on non-members to nominate themselves or others to be mayors in the country's metros. The nominations will close on Friday, 22 May.
According to the party, this will restore basic services. The party says it will also build trust in local government.
This move comes as municipalities continue to face pressure over failing infrastructure, service delivery and financial management.
Morero says this is a means to drive participation in party structures as well. The public nomination will be coordinated by the party's provincial task teams.
READ: Joburg Finance MMC Loyiso Masuku appointed as Deputy Mayor
The move is unconventional for the party who generally takes its chairpersons as mayoral candidates in local government elections.
In December, Morero lost the chairperson chair to Dr Loyiso Masuku who became the party's first woman regional chair.
She defeated him with 184 votes, whereas he obtained 149 votes.
Masuku served as Finance MMC in they City. A portfolio that had to be dissolved after she was elected deputy City of Johannesburg mayor in February.
Her Finance portfolio has been dissolved and merged into her new role.
On Wednesday the party inaugurated its new Gauteng Provincial Task Team. The team will replace former members of the provincial executive.
The ANC says they will help stabilise structures and drive preparations for the 2026 Local Government Election.
The 42-member team will be led by Premier Panyaza Lesufi and Mandla Nkomfe.