– DA warns that the ANC’s irregular move against Mogalakwena Municipal Manager risks costly legal fallout.
– ANC action exposes the dangers of cadre deployment and the blurring of the line between the ANC and the Mogalakwena Municipality.
– We do question Municipal Manager, Morris Maluleka’s, suitability and probity for the position but cannot support unlawful political interference or decisions that expose Mogalakwena residents to avoidable risk.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Mogalakwena distances itself from, and is concerned about, decisions taken by the ANC-led Mogalakwena Municipal Council on 1 July 2026 to summarily place Municipal Manager Morris Maluleka on “compulsory leave” and terminate his employment contract at the end of July. These decisions may expose the Municipality and its residents to avoidable legal and financial risk.
The DA’s concern relates to the prejudice that the Municipality and the community may suffer and does not constitute support for Mr Maluleka. Municipal decisions must at all times be lawful, rational, transparent and procedurally fair.
At face value, the Municipality’s Special Executive Committee and Council meetings held on 1 July 2026 appear to have been convened irregularly, while the resolutions concerning the Municipal Manager raise serious questions about legality and rationality.
At the Ordinary Council meeting on 29 June 2026, Council noted Mr Maluleka’s resignation, intended to take effect on 30 November 2026. His fixed-term contract runs until 30 September 2027.
However, at hastily and questionably convened meetings on 1 July, the ANC-led Council reportedly resolved to place him on immediate compulsory leave until the end of July and thereafter terminate his contract.
It is alleged that councillors were afforded less than the required 24 hours’ notice of the 1 July meetings and were not provided with formal agendas or sufficient information to prepare. If confirmed, these shortcomings may constitute non-compliance with Council’s Rules and Orders and render the meetings and resulting resolutions procedurally irregular.
In a damning letter containing serious allegations, dated 30 June 2026, and addressed to Mayor Ngoako Taueatsoala, Mr Maluleka alleges that his resignation was coerced and involuntary, and attributes the pressure placed upon him to ANC political leadership. He also alleges that he received threats to his life and sought Council’s protection. He further claims that the ANC’s Political Management Team conveyed an instruction that he be placed on forced leave outside the prescribed statutory process.
See the letter here.
These allegations expose the dangers of cadre deployment and the apparent blurring of the line between the ANC as a political party and the Mogalakwena Municipality.
South African labour courts have cautioned that imposed special leave may constitute suspension. Where compulsory leave is used as a precautionary suspension, the prescribed statutory process and procedural fairness must be followed. Failure to do so may render the resolutions reviewable and expose the Municipality to litigation and financial liability.
The DA previously distanced itself from Mr Maluleka’s appointment because of concerns about the process and his questionable suitability and probity.
The DA will not support unlawful political interference or decisions that expose Mogalakwena residents to avoidable risk.