Mashaba says merger talks with Operation Dudula are still in the pipeline

ActionSA President Herman Mashaba signs a merger agreement with the Azanian Independent Community Movement’s Tshepo Mashiane (right) and the Creatives Congress Movement’s Wiseman Dibakwe at Ferndale, Johannesburg, 26 January 2026, ahead of the upcoming local government elections. Picture: Nigel Sibanda/ The Citizen ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba says the door is still open for Operation Dudula to merge with his party or enter into a working arrangement. On Monday, Mashaba welcomed two new parties under what ActionSA called its Green Umbrella Project.

The two newly admitted parties are the Azanian Independent Community Movement (AICM) and the Creative Congress Movement (CCM). He said these mergers will strategically boost ActionSA’s power in communities and increase the number of its public representatives nationwide to 150. “These parties, despite not having a national footprint, are often the most in touch with local needs and best placed to fight for the interests of their communities.” He said ActionSA’s vision is to end the dominance of established big parties that have failed communities through poor governance and corruption.

Mashaba toldThe Citizenthat negotiations to bringOperation Dudula on boardare continuing. ActionSA’s negotiations with Operation Dudula began last year, butThe Citizenunderstands that Operation Dudula made some demands which stalled the process. Mashaba said he has given Operation Dudula some time to consider the ActionSA project.

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“Dudula just wants to be given time. I confirmed last year that we had spoken to them and that, if they operate with us, they must do so within the legal framework. We have given them a chance to consider what we discussed.

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