Patricia de Lille's tenure is coming to an end in two months' time, but Western Cape DA leader Bonginkosi Madikizela has no designs on her job – he is instead vying to become Western Cape premier.
Some had regarded the Western Cape MEC for Human Settlements as a possible replacement for De Lille at the start of the year when the mudslinging began between De Lille and the DA. But he has confirmed that he was "definitely not" in the running to become mayor, News24 reported.
In fact, says Madikizela, he has already put forward his name as a candidate for premier in the 2019 elections and is "absolutely" focused on his chances to win.
Other premier candidates include MP David Maynier, MEC Alan Winde, Fazloodien Abrahams, Kelly Baloyi, Jacobus MacFarlane and Micheal Mack, the DA announced in July.
The DA will soon call for applications to replace De Lille, whose resignation becomes effective from October 31. De Lille has indicated that she would assist with the transition period. The successful candidate was likely to be in place in council before her departure at the end of October, she added.