There is still no clarity or definite resolution concerning the fate of the errant executive mayor of Matjhabeng.
“The DA in Matjhabeng demands the immediate scheduling of the motion of no confidence (MONC) against Councillor Thanduxolo Khalipha to uphold integrity and transparency in governance.
“Matjhabeng faces turmoil due to ANC divisions, with attempts to reinstate Khalipha as executive mayor despite his criminal conviction,” says DA councillor, Maxie Badenhorst.
This will be the second time that Khalipha will face a MONC.
In November 2024, the DA brought a motion against him based on his conviction of assault and crimen injuria.
He was found guilty of assaulting his driver, issued a fine of R7 000, and declared unfit to own a firearm. On 18 February 2025, ANC councillors unlawfully tried to amend a 15 January resolution establishing an Ad Hoc Committee to investigate Khalipha. They attempted to replace it with a biased ANC-dominated committee, violating council procedures. They also tried to insert an illegitimate resolution into the January minutes.
Further misconduct included falsely marking Khalipha as “on leave,” and the speaker dismissing the DA’s formal objection and MONC.
Instead of scheduling a special council meeting as per Rule 90(5), he labelled the motion “premature,” siding with Khalipha’s backers.
The various unions, including the South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) and Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu), oppose Khalipha’s reinstatement with warnings of mass action.
The DA demands the immediate scheduling of the MONC.
For this to be realised, Charles Stofile, speaker of Matjhabeng and president of the South African Local Government Association (Salga), must convene a special council meeting. Badenhorst adds that integrity in council proceedings must be upheld and that the ANC councillors must stop manipulating resolutions. She also demands that there be transparency and accountability. The Ad Hoc Committee must remain properly constituted and deliver findings within 21 days.
“Political infighting and unethical leadership are pushing Matjhabeng towards collapse, threatening service delivery.
“We refuse to let political interests destroy the municipality,” says Badenhorst.
In another matter against the floundering Matjhabeng, David McKay, DA member of the Provincial Legislature, questioned the tardiness of the Section 139 intervention.
“As you are aware, it being a provincial executive action, the committee has a direct oversight responsibility, yet no information has been shared to date. Therefore, I request that the MEC be called before the committee to answer on the matter,” he said.
He has requested the terms of reference from the committee, the names of those appointed as administrators, and what their qualifications are.
He also requested the executive letter ordering intervention and confirmation of the ministerial and National Council of Provinces’ (NCOP) approval of the intervention, and its time frame.
“I would like to request that the Matjhabeng leadership be called to account to the committee on the reappointment of Khalipha, whom has been accused of destabilising the municipality and engaging in the abuse of power through the harassment of employees and the misappropriation of municipal resources. Such misconduct was substantiated by the
magistrates’ court, which found him guilty. Despite this, there are efforts underway not only to reinstate him but also to compel the council to pay him six months’ salary and restore his bodyguard,” says McKay.
In addition, the Matjhabeng leadership must account for the increase in irregular and wasteful expenditure and utter deterioration of basic services.
Aanhaling: We refuse to let political interests destroy the municipality – Maxie Badenhorst
We refuse to let political interests destroy the municipality
– Maxie Badenhorst
