Is he in, or is he out, was the question on everyone’s lips on Wednesday (18/01) hours before the executive mayor of Matjhabeng, Thanduxolo Khalipha, was to face a vote of no confidence at a special council meeting.
The vote was tabled by the DA in Matjhabeng and was supported by all of the opposition parties in council, bar one of the independents.
Added to this fray of discontent are the some 14 ANC councillors who have had enough of what is termed “Khalipha’s despotic ways”.
“Some factions within the ANC are fed up with his habits and the way he treats people. He behaves like a celebrity who is above the common folk,” says a well-informed source within the ANC.
ANC cadres say that the powers that be on national and provincial level have made it clear that Khalipha must change his ways. Local detractors say that if he does not change his manner of doing things, they will be forced to vote with the opposition.
“If this fails we will launch our own campaign against the mayor,” says one man.
“Everyone, from party members, to the opposition and the people of Matjhabeng, have seen through his facade.
“At the beginning of his term he told us he wants to depoliticise Matjhabeng and bring about change. But then after national ANC said that politicians must not buss supporters to events, he himself forced officials to pay for themselves to attend an ANC event in Mangaung,” says another source.
According to a WhatsApp screenshot, Khalipha instructed all Matjhabeng employees from level 3 and up in the ANC to hire taxis to attend the event.
“What he says and what he does are different things. He has become a law unto himself. A popular narrative amongst comrades is that the ANC has created a monster. He rules Matjhabeng as if he is all powerful, hiring and firing at will,” says a disenfranchised source.
- Read a full story on how the meeting played out on Vista’s page on news24.com. On the main page, click on “Publications” and choose Vista.
