RULING PARTY ANC LOOSES ECONOMIC CAPITAL J'BURG AFTER 22 YRS TO OPPOSITION IN S'AFRICA

South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) Monday lost control of the country’s economic hub, Johannesburg, after an opposition councilor was elected mayor in the city it had controlled for 22 years. Herman Mashaba of the main opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) was elected executive mayor of the city of Johannesburg after receiving 144 votes, defeating the incumbent Parks Tau who had 125.In Johannesburg, the opposition DA also took three major positions including that of speaker, chief whip and mayor. Many political analysts attribute the ANC’s decline to its head and President Jacob Zuma’s many scandals, including his alleged use of millions in public funds to upgrade his private home.