The Democratic Alliance has accused Pretoria's executive mayor Father Smangaliso Mkhatshwa and the ANC of "speaking with a forked tongue" on the proposed renaming of Pretoria.
The party expressed disappointment on Friday at Mkhatshwa's stance over the issue as expressed in his State of the City address.
"The (executive) mayor missed a golden opportunity to show leadership and promote reconciliation and tolerance.
"His opinion was always that the name should be changed.
"His inability to address the issue decisively shows he still holds the opinion that the ANC is intending to change the name of Pretoria," said Fred Nel, leader of the DA Tshwane caucus.
Mkhatshwa said in his State of the City address on Friday that the ANC's position on the name change was clear and unambiguous.
"I am surprised at how some parties which have been vociferous on the subject seem to be unhappy when the ANC articulates its own position on the subject," said Mkhatshwa.
The report on the proposed name change - which was compiled by a team of experts and academics - would be tabled before the mayoral committee and council "quite soon", he said.
"We shall also revisit the appropriateness of some street names, not only in the CBD but in the whole of Tshwane."
Mkhatshwa said democracy taught that all points of view shall be given space for articulation and an ear to be heard.
"It also teaches that the will of the majority be placed ahead of the will of small interest groups.
"Within the parameters of our legislation and our policies we will raise the needs to make a bold and decisive break with our past and begin our journey to our date with the real Tshwane," said Mkhatshwa.
Nel said that once again, Mkhatshwa and the ANC "spoke with a forked tongue".
"First Defence Minister (Mosiuoa) Lekota and the then ANC region gave assurances that the name of Pretoria would remain.
"Now the mayor embarks upon a direction, opposite to that of the party," said Nel.
He said his party had still not received the "name change" report as the mayor promised - "clear evidence that he could not keep his promises".
"The remainder of the mayor's speech was 'more of the same' and a few new issues were raised.
"It was as if I was listening to last year's speech all over again.
"Clearly the speech was designed as an election tool, and not one hallmarking leadership," said Nel.
A debate on the State of the City address will take place at a special council meeting next week Thursday.