Matjhabeng’s mayor has flouted authority and refuses to adhere to the edicts of the ANC by orchestrating and managing his own step-aside.
Despite being given a direct order from the ruling party that he, Thanduxolo Khalipha, immediately leave, no confirmation has been received from the municipality regarding his suspension.
Municipal spokesperson Tshediso Tlali referred Vistato the ANC for comment.
Directly following the step-aside decision, the provincial executive (PEC) of the ANC was to have appointed an interim mayor for Matjhabeng. This step-aside was condoned by the national conference of the ANC.
It is said that Khalipha left the PEC meeting, convened a mayoral committee meeting, and then appointed an interim mayor himself against the explicit wishes of the PEC.
“He is the first ANC member to go against a step-aside order of the party. In recent history, Ace Magashule, Jacob Zuma, and Serake Leeuw stepped aside when ordered to do so,” a source says.
Matjhabeng is in disarray and at its lowest since its amalgamation in 2000. Labour relations with employees and unions are strained beyond repair, while newly recruited professionals are leaving in numbers, creating a high vacancy rate that has impacted negatively on service delivery.
In stark contrast, the mayor’s office structure was ballooned with more than 50 employees. This has created duplication of roles in administration.
They have also deviated from normal procurement processes by spending over R200 million on the controversial fleet.
In May, there were further allegations of misconduct and corruption against Khalipha.
It is alleged that the he used the services of a municipal service provider for the construction of his R3,4 million house.
Vaal Central Water’s (VCW) notice to cut Matjhabeng’s water due to non-payment comes after the equitable share was squandered on the procurement of fleet and other non-service delivery projects.
“The mayor is claiming to champion the fight against corruption, but on the other hand threatens to spill the beans if he is removed. This is clearly a contradiction,” a source says.
Khalipha is facing multiple cases of common assault and intimidation.
- David Ntsuku (ACT) alleges that he pointed a finger at him, and further threatened to get people to kill him if he did not make people respect Khalipha as the executive mayor.
- The matter is before the prosecution, to be finalised. In March, Khalipha briefly appeared in the Odendaalsrus Magistrates’ Court for assault. His case was remanded to 20 August for trial. He was released on warning.) There is a conviction against Khalipha and Adv. Lonwabo Ngoqo, municipal manager, for unlawful litigation against a resident, Joseph Ndayi, without council resolution.
The pair were found guilty by the Free State High Court on 10 November 2023 for civil contempt of court. They were sentenced to 30 days’ imprisonment, which they appealed.
Despite the appeal, the two now have criminal records against their names.
