Masina, who also serves as ANC regional chairman in the City of Ekurhuleni, dared the governing party to fire him from his top post for taking to a social media platform to endorse EFF leader Julius Malema’s stance on South Africa's economy.

Objecting to the government's decision to ease its coronavirus lockdown regulations to a more lenient level 3 from June 1, Malema last week called on the public to stay at home and “die with our boots on rather than kneeling down to protect the white monopoly economy”, which he said must collapse.

On Sunday night, Masina took to Twitter in support of Malema. 

“I fully agree with my friend on this one, Julius Malema. Until we nationalise all commanding heights of the economy – we need to restart this economy and make sure it favours the majority. This can’t be sane again,” Masina said in his post.

NYTT national spokesperson Sizophila Mkhize said they support Masina. 

However, the ANC rebuked Masina for his comment and ordered him to retract the tweet.

According to ANC national spokesperson, Pule Mabe, Masina’s views conflicted with the party’s policy position, saying that “leaders of the ANC feed into the narrative of policy uncertainty when they publicly canvass positions outside the formal structures”.

Before deactivating his account on Monday night, Masina wrote: “I can be removed tomorrow as mayor. I’ll accept without hesitation. I’m not a coward."

“I’m ready ANC. I won’t ask you why. What I won’t do is to be friends with WMC (white monopoly capital). My views are more important than being gagged by whites. I’m not a coward. Kill me if you can, I fear no-one,” added Masina. 

Masina is no stranger to controversy within the governing party. He has been in a constant tussle over the ANC’s economic direction and those he considers proponents of white monopoly capital within the party’s ranks, including Finance Minister Tito Mboweni.

African News Agency