Other former mayors will not follow Danny Jordan’s lead and resign as councillors in metros the ANC lost during the municipal elections, the party said on Monday.

Jordaan had more demands to deal with as South African Football Association (Safa) president, ANC spokesperson Zizi Kodwa told reporters.

“Our cadres in different areas, whether you are talking Mapiti (Matsena) in Tshwane, will remain. Parks Tau is not the president of Safa,” Kodwa said, referring to Johannesburg’s former mayor.

On Monday, the ANC announced Jordaan’s resignation from the Nelson Mandela Bay city council. It released him from his council duties so he could focus on the 2019 elections and his Safa commitments.

Kodwa said Jordaan would continue working for the party, focusing on growing ANC support in Port Elizabeth’s Northern Areas, campaigning during by-elections, and helping prepare for the 2019 elections.

If there were valid reasons for some ANC leaders in the opposition benches in municipalities to step down, others would replace them.

“There are many leaders who can lead, like you saw in Cape Town, Marius Fransman is no longer leader of the opposition. There are other members who are leading the ANC there.”