Thapelo Amad, the Mayor of Johannesburg in South Africa, tendered his resignation on Monday evening, just hours before he was slated to face a motion of no confidence.
The ActionSA party tabled a motion of no confidence against him and the city’s chairperson, Colleen Makhubele, which was due to be debated in the city council on Tuesday.
Thapelo Amad was elected mayor of South Africa’s economic capital in January this year with the support of the ruling African National Congress (ANC), the EFF, and the Patriotic Alliance.
There have been recent calls for his resignation, citing a lack of confidence in his ability to lead the economic metropolis.
In a statement to the press, Thapelo said his resignation was not related to the motion of no confidence but rather was part of a process to stabilize the city of Johannesburg.