The Inkatha Freedom Party has named City of Johannesburg Human Settlements MMC Mlungisi Mabaso as its mayoral candidate ahead of the upcoming local government elections. Image: Facebook City of Johannesburg Human Settlements MMC Mlungisi Mabaso has been announced as the Inkatha Freedom Party’s (IFP) mayoral candidate for the upcoming local government elections. The party made the announcement on Saturday at Jabulani Technical School in Soweto. It is the first time the IFP has fielded a mayoral candidate in Johannesburg. The announcement was made by party leader Velenkosini Hlabisa. Mabaso was appointed MMC for Human Settlements in the City of Johannesburg in 2024 by then mayor Kabelo Gwamanda. The race for the mayoral chain in the City of Johannesburg is intensifying, with several parties having already named their candidates. ActionSA has officially named party leader Herman Mashaba as its mayoral candidate for Johannesburg ahead of the 2026 local government elections. The local government elections will be held on November 4, 2026. Mashaba, who served as mayor from 2016 to 2019, was one of five senior leaders considered for the position. The Democratic Alliance (DA) has selected former Western Cape premier and City of Cape Town mayor Helen Zille as its mayoral candidate, while the Patriotic Alliance (PA) has put forward Kenny Kunene, who currently serves as MMC for transport in the metro. Johannesburg continues to face significant service delivery challenges, including water and electricity shortages, potholes, deteriorating infrastructure, uncollected refuse, and non-functioning streetlights and traffic signals. The African National Congress (ANC) has yet to confirm whether it will retain incumbent mayor Dada Morero or select a new candidate. The uMkhonto weSizwe Party and other political parties have also not announced their mayoral candidates. *This is a developing story* IOL Politics