Thanduxolo Khalipha, executive mayor of Matjhabeng, has been forced to step aside.
This was enforced by the provincial executive committee (PEC) of the ANC, following recommendations by the Lejweleputswa Regional Executive Committee and the Youth League.
In a statement issued this week, the PEC resolved that Khalipha should step aside as
the executive mayor of Matjhabeng local municipality. The statement further
reads that the PEC officials will announce the name of the person who will act
as the executive mayor while Khalipha is attending to his cases.
The step aside-rule is an internal policy of the African Nation Congress (ANC) adopted in 2017 at the party’s 54th National Conference. It requires members charged with corruption or other serious crimes to voluntarily step aside from participating in party and government activities, or face suspension.
Khalipha is facing a charge of common assault and two counts of crimen injuria registered at the Welkom Police station in February 2024. He made his first appearance at the Odendaalsrus magistrate court on Friday, 24 May and the case was postponed for Thursday, 22 August. He was expected to immediately step aside after being charged but failed to do so drawing criticisms from all corners about his integrity to protect his organisation’s name and reputation during the case proceeding against him.
In April the Democratic Alliance laid a formal complaint to the Speaker Bheki Stofile and the municipal manager Adv. Lonwabo Ngoqo against the executive mayor Thanduxolo Khalipha for breaching the Code of Conduct of Councillors section 2(b) as well as the Systems Act, act 32 of 2000 Schedule 1 section 2 (b); stipulated as follows: A Councillor must; (b) at all times act in the best interest of the municipality and in such a way that the credibility and integrity of the municipality are not compromised.
The South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) in the Free State had also criticise the ANC provincial leadership for protecting Khalipha amidst an assault case against him.
Khalipha is facing another case of common assault and intimidation. David Ntsuku alleges that the executive mayor of Matjhabeng pointed the finger at his forehead and chest and further threatened to get people to kill him if he did not make people respect him as the executive mayor. The matter is before the prosecution to finalise.
Vista can confirm that there is a conviction against executive mayor Thanduxolo Khalipha and municipal manager Adv. Lonwabo Ngoqo 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 the civil contempt of court.
They were sentenced to 30 days imprisonment which they appealed. The pending appeal does not take away the fact that the two have criminal records against their names, which only prohibits the execution of the sentencing until the appeal is finalised. The Matjhabeng Council is not precluded from taking steps against the two using its internal policies.
Maxi Badenhorst of the DA says, the DA has taken note of the step-aside rule that the Provincial Executive Committee of the ANC has applied to the Executive Mayor of Matjhabeng, Thanduxolo Khalipha, and that the PEC will announce the name of the person who will act as the executive mayor. Meanwhile, the office of the mayor has informed the DA office in Matjhabeng that councilor and member of the Mayoral Committee, Sabata Moshoeu, will act as Mayor during Khalipha’s absence. However, this has been questioned by councilor Piet Botha in a letter to the Speaker, Councilor Bheke Stofile, and the Municipal Manager, Lonwabo Ngoqu, as it is against the rules and orders of the Matjhabeng Council.
Only the Council can grant special leave to the mayor, and the Council must also appoint the acting Mayor.
Badenhorst said the DA welcomes the steps taken against the mayor as it is long overdue after several irregularities over the past 32 months since his inauguration.
