He explained that the party had political and not technical discussions over the decline in support.

“We talk of collective leadership all the time. If we wanted to point fingers at the President many would have said are we so weak that we do not determine the direction of the organisation collective?” Mantashe asked.

The ANC now aims to visit different provinces to meet with alliance structures and different sectors and communities. It said it will also investigate and act on reports of violations of the candidate selection process and it will also seek to embark on training its councillors to ensure they lead municipalities in the interests of the people.

Mantashe added that the ANC was psychologically ready to be in the opposition benches.

Mantashe, while raising questions over the electoral system, said the ANC had accept the 2016 local government election results. However, he said a formula needed to be looked into because he didn't believe the process was scientific and fair.

He denied that the ANC is undermining the Democratic Alliance and the Economic Freedom Fighters.

“No performance should be exaggerated. Show where the DA and the EFF grew. The ANC owns up to its disappointing performance,” he said.

He said the ANC though had been in discussion with various parties, it was also important to prepare for a possibility of being the opposition in council.

“It must not be seen as that the ANC will go to war to govern, if we don’t have a deal we will end up in the opposition benches - full stop,” he said.

- News24.com