The Democratic Alliance’s (DA) Dr Mpho Phalatse has been voted as the new City of Johannesburg mayor.

Phalatse got 144 of the 270 possible votes in the City. The African National Congress (ANC) mayoral candidate, Mpho Moerane got 121 votes.

SABC News reporter Natasha Phiri caught up with Dr Phalatse shortly after she was voted mayor:

Mashaba pulls out of the race for mayor

Earlier, ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba pulled out of the race for the Mayoral position in the City. He said there was no way he would have been a mayor with only 16 percent of the vote in the November 1st elections. His move not to contest came as a huge surprise for many. But Mashaba says his decision is in the best interest of the citizens of Johannesburg.

“You can’t have government and be a mayor with 16 percent. We wanted to form a multi-party government with all and the DA with us. But unfortunately, the DA played with us over the last two weeks. And we are at no point to try and contest. That’s why we said, OK DA because you want to give this Municipality to the ANC, no ways we going to allow that.”