The African National Congress regional executive committee in Lejweleputswa has called for the immediate removal of councillor Thanduxolo Khalipa as executive mayor of Matjhabeng Local Municipality following his conviction on charges of assault and crimen injuria.

In a statement released after a meeting at the ANC regional offices in Welkom on Thursday 28 May, regional secretary Irvin Riet said the REC strongly supports the urgent reconfiguration of the Matjhabeng troika, including Khalipa’s removal, in the interests of the organisation and the people of Matjhabeng.

“The ANC REC notes the developments regarding the executive mayor of Matjhabeng Local Municipality, Cllr Thanduxolo Khalipa, following his conviction on charges of assault and crimen injuria,” Riet said.

The ANC REC notes the developments regarding the executive mayor of Matjhabeng Local Municipality, Cllr Thanduxolo Khalipa, following his conviction on charges of assault and crimen injuria.

The ANC Integrity Commission found that Khalipa’s conduct had brought the organisation into disrepute. The National Executive Committee endorsed this position and referred the matter to the National Disciplinary Committee for further processing, with the NEC acting as the complainant.

“The REC fully supports the position taken by the Integrity Commission and the NEC. We further welcome the fact that the REC itself has been completely exonerated regarding allegations surrounding the conduct of the executive mayor,” Riet said.

The REC expressed concern over Khalipa’s continued conduct, stating he had increasingly positioned himself outside the collective discipline and authority of the organisation. The committee said his conduct had contributed significantly to divisions within the ANC and instability within the municipality.

Riet said the REC was aware of allegations regarding the ill-treatment of senior officials within the municipality, including the resignation of senior engineers, the former municipal manager and the technical director.

The ill-treatment goes further to workers of the municipality, even to an extent that SAMWU had to lead a three-month long strike advancing the rights of workers in the municipality.

“Some of these concerns were reportedly raised in resignation communications and are currently subject to further scrutiny and investigation. The ill-treatment goes further to workers of the municipality, even to an extent that SAMWU had to lead a three-month long strike advancing the rights of workers in the municipality,” he said.

Riet added that workers continued to face detrimental working conditions because of what he described as the executive mayor’s arrogant conduct, claiming Khalipa believed he was bigger than the ANC and protected by ANC Free State officials.

The REC stated the ANC could not enter the 2026 local government elections while being represented by leadership whose conduct damages the image, unity and credibility of the organisation.

“The movement must present ethical, disciplined and community centred leadership to the people. It is for this reason that the REC strongly supports the urgent reconfiguration of the Matjhabeng troika, including the removal of Cllr Khalipa as executive mayor in the interests of the organisation and the people of Matjhabeng,” Riet said.