Johannesburg Mayor Herman Mashaba and Speaker of Council, Vasco da Gama survived a motion of no confidence against them on Thursday.

The motions of no confidence was brought by the African National Congress (ANC).

In a statement on Thursday night, Mashaba said they welcomed the opportunity to defend they record in "cleaning up the corrupt mess left behind by ANC".

"Today’s [Thursday's] motion by the ANC was nothing more than a desperate attempt at regaining control of the City’s purse in order to continue the corruption which they had championed for so long. Due to the ANC’s unashamed corrupt rule, this multi-party government has uncovered fraud and corruption worth just over R16.2-billion," he said.

"Over 2 500 matters are at various stages of investigation. This has resulted in the arrest of over 600 people, the suspension of over 100 employees, the dismissal of 7 and the resignation of 13. Truth be told, the ANC is finally feeling the pinch of not being able to loot the City for itself and its cronies. This has been the driving force behind this motion of no confidence. Fortunately, the City’s Council saw the ANC motion for what it was."

Mashaba said the ANC's loss was a victory for hard working civil servants within Johannesburg.

Mashaba, a Democratic Alliance (DA) councillor, became Mayor of Johannesburg in August last year following a coalition agreement between smaller parties to oust the ANC from power after the Local Government Elections.

He has been on a drive to root out corruption and crime in the City, has not been shy to remove senior officials at key entities and review some contracts entered into by the City's former administration.

On Thursday, Mashaba said that it was time for the ANC to "make peace" with the fact that the people of Johannesburg voted "for a multi-party government, made of different political parties and perspectives; a multi-party government for change".

"A multi-party government which would signal a new beginning for the City of Johannesburg. A multi-party government which will work to uplift the forgotten poor people of Johannesburg and deliver quality services to all residents. We will relentlessly continue our fight against corruption," he said.

"We will continue to bring change to Johannesburg by delivering title deeds to our poorest residents, extending operating hours at clinics and libraries, upgrading infrastructure in informal settlements, cleaning and revitalising Johannesburg’s inner city so as to create work opportunities... This is only the beginning of the change which we promised the residents of Johannesburg."

Mashaba thanked the DA's coalition partners for their support.

"Though not a coalition partner, I also want to thank the Economic Freedom Fighters for their continued robust interaction with our government as we jointly work to ensure a better life for all our residents."

On Wednesday, the ANC in Johannesburg said that it would forge ahead with its motion to remove Mashaba from office despite not having the required number of councillors to support its vote.

This was the ANC in Johannesburg's second motion of no confidence against Mashaba and Speaker Vasco da Gama in a two-day Council sitting after its failed bid to hold a secret ballot against them in September.

On Wednesday, ANC Joburg spokesperson Jolidee Matongo said that they only needed a "simply majority" to oust Mashaba, adding that his party was in talks with other other parties in a bid to support the ANC motion.