The pressure on the executive mayor of Matjhabeng to step aside has increased exponentially, with the regional ANC structure now recommending to provincial structure that, indeed, he needs to go.
The ANC rules are strict in this regard, and according to their standing rules he must step aside.
On 28 June the ANC Youth League (ANCYL) registered its concern on the unbecoming conduct of Thanduxolo Khalipha, executive mayor of Matjhabeng, who is, according to them, deliberately ignoring the step-aside provisions. They say he does this under a delusional assumption that he is bigger than the ANC.
The ANCYL states the rules are clear that where a member, office-bearer or public representative refuses to step aside, notwithstanding a decision of the national executive committee (NEC) or provincial executive committee (PEC) that he or she should do so, the organisation may suspend the person and impose terms and conditions to regulate their participation and conduct during the suspension.
In a statement, the ANCYL says it is public knowledge that a criminal case was opened against the mayor on 28 February and he was formally charged on 17 April. Khalipha then appeared in court on 24 May, and he is going to appear again on 20 August.
It is against this background that the ANCYL appeals to the conscience of the leadership of the ANC to suspend Khalipha for refusing to step aside.
“This is a deliberate indication that Khalipha has no regard to the commitment of the organisation to renew itself. This conduct of Khalipha has resulted in an unfortunate electoral support decline, making Matjhabeng the only sub-region in Lejweleputswa that did not improve on its elections results.
“As the ANCYL, we are extremely worried about the negative impact this matter is making in society and on the image of the ANC,” said Ayanda Madona, regional spokesperson for the youth league in the statement.
Vista
previously reported that the mayor has a guilty verdict of contempt of court hanging over his head. His leave to appeal was set aside by the High Court on 7 August 2023, and the ruling was delivered on 15 February this year.
Because he has been found to be in contempt of court, Khalipha was to be imprisoned for a period of 30 days, suspended for 30 days on condition that he comply with the finding of the court. This never happened.
Khalipha has another cloud hanging over his head. A second common assault case was registered in Thabong in May.
Belly David Ntsuku alleged that Khalipha pointed a finger at him and pressed it against his chest, while “threatening to get people to kill him”.
Khalipha then allegedly attempted to assault a Thabong ward councillor known to Vista. The councillor was advised not to register the case against Khalipha, but instead report the matter through the ANC’s internal process.
