Former Johannesburg mayor Herman Mashaba has reignited debate over his departure from office, hinting that President Cyril Ramaphosa may have been involved in behind-the-scenes talks with Helen Zille to orchestrate his removal.
In a recent social media post, Mashaba implied that his exit wasn’t simply due to political shifts within the council but rather the result of high-level negotiations.
He questioned whether Ramaphosa, along with ANC leadership, played a role in deals with Zille to label him an “EFF mayor” and push him out because he insisted on delivering services to all Johannesburg residents.
Mashaba, who became mayor in 2016 under the Democratic Alliance (DA) before founding ActionSA, has long claimed his focus on equitable service delivery clashed with both DA and ANC interests.
His latest remarks revive tensions from his time in office, when his alliance with the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) was often criticized and used against him politically.
While neither the ANC nor the Presidency had responded to his claims by Monday afternoon, Mashaba’s comments have sparked renewed scrutiny of national-level political deals influencing local governance.
Analysts see this as part of ActionSA’s broader strategy to distinguish itself ahead of the 2026 local elections, positioning Mashaba as a public servant sidelined by political elites.
Though no concrete evidence links Ramaphosa to Mashaba’s ousting, the suggestion has reopened old wounds in Johannesburg’s complex political history.
I wonder if President Ramaphosa wasn’t part of the ANC leadership that negotiated with the Helen Zille for my removal as mayor, labelling me as an EFF mayor because I wouldn’t give up on providing public services to all residents of the @CityofJoburgZA.
Connect the dots. pic.twitter.com/fTECSl0Ipy— Herman Mashaba (@HermanMashaba) September 15, 2025
