Depoliticised?

The executive mayor of Matjhabeng, Thanduxolo Khalipha, has been accused of abusing municipal staff to participate in ANC-related activities during official hours and also to use municipal resources for this.

“This is unacceptable, especially considering that these officials are compensated by residents’ contributions.

“A voice recording has surfaced in which Khalipha is heard conveying to his office officials that involvement in ANC activities is essential for their roles within the executive mayor’s office.

“This position strongly contrasts with the mayor’s public claims that the administration is being professionalised and depoliticised to provide for all Matjhabeng residents,” says Dr Igor Scheurkogel, ward 35 councillor.

Since assuming office in 2021, Khalipha has consistently expressed his commitment to the depoliticisation of municipal operations, and to prioritising service delivery to Matjhabeng’s rate paying residents.

As recently reaffirmed in the regular council meeting on March 26, the mayor emphasised the absence of cadre deployment in Matjhabeng.

Between 29 January and 8 April, spanning 11 weeks, residents of Matjhabeng had problems with service delivery due to the actions of municipal employees and the ANC’s political leadership.

The community bears the brunt of insufficient guidance from the Matjhabeng ANC leadership to face municipal challenges.

Scheurkogel says he will submit a formal complaint to the speaker of Matjhabeng, Cllr Bhekumuzi Charles Stofile, who is also the president of the South African Local Government Association (Salga), to ensure that an investigation into the mayor’s actions be done.