– DA refuses to participate in ANC factional battles in Lephalale.
– MEC’s intervention raises questions amid ongoing High Court proceedings.
– ANC infighting causes municipal chaos at the expense of service delivery and jobs.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Lephalale condemns the ongoing infighting within the ANC, which continues to cause chaos, undermine stability and disrupt municipal governance at the expense of service delivery. We remain committed to working in the interests of all residents of Lephalale.
The DA refused to participate in the special council meeting held yesterday, which was convened through the intervention of ANC MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Pule Shai. The meeting resulted in the removal and replacement of the Speaker of Lephalale Local Municipality.
Coming mere days before the 4 November municipal elections, the meeting marks the latest development in an ongoing ANC factional battle that has already reached the Polokwane High Court.
The dispute follows a special council meeting on 18 September 2026, during which the Speaker was reportedly removed and the Municipal Manager suspended despite concerns over the legality of the proceedings. Both officials subsequently approached the High Court, which reportedly set aside the decisions taken at that meeting. The matter remains before the court.
Despite these ongoing legal proceedings, MEC Shai invoked section 29(1A) of the Municipal Structures Act to designate a representative to convene and chair the council meeting on 22 October, raising further questions about the circumstances of his intervention.
The DA believes these developments raise serious questions about compliance with the law, , respect for court processes and the involvement of the provincial government in what appears to be an internal ANC power struggle.
The DA will not participate in any attempt to use council proceedings to advance ANC factional battles. Municipal councils exist to serve residents, not to settle internal political disputes.
Council proceedings must be conducted lawfully and in accordance with proper procedures. Where matters are before the courts, all parties have a responsibility to respect the judicial process and comply with any binding court orders.
Our participation in council proceedings will be guided by the law and the interests of the residents we represent, not those of competing ANC factions.
While the ANC remains embroiled in disputes over political positions, causing chaos in the municipality, the people of Lephalale need a municipality focused on providing reliable services, maintaining infrastructure, managing public funds responsibly and creating an environment conducive to investment and job creation.
The DA will continue to fulfil our responsibility as a constructive opposition, holding the municipality accountable, scrutinising council decisions and demanding that service delivery takes precedence over political infighting.
The people of Lephalale deserve better than ANC-inspired chaos. It is time to stop the chaos, start service delivery, get and Lephalale working again.