The ANC stands accused of double standards regarding its step-aside rule for members who find themselves in trouble with the law.
Questions were asked about why the party was not implementing the step-aside policy for the controversial Matjhabeng mayor, Thanduxolo Khalipha, who was arrested and charged last week for allegedly insulting his bodyguards and assaulting another.
Provincial executive committee (PEC) and national executive committee (NEC) members have questioned why the party has not yet forced Khalipha, a former member of parliament and a senior leader of the ANC in Free State, to step aside.
Speaking to Sunday World on condition of anonymity, a PEC member said the party was setting a bad precedent by not enforcing the step-aside rule concerning Khalipha.
“Despite widespread reports of Khalipha’s arrest and criminal charges, our own ANC is -doing nothing to enforce the step-aside rule against him. As it stands, Khalipha is facing criminal charges, and it’s mind-boggling that nothing happens to him. The ANC’s actions set a poor example,” said the member.
The member further said the party should have removed Khalipha from office last week after his arrest.
The member expressed reluctance on the part of the party to remove him, citing Khalipha’s significant influence in Free State and the fear he instilled in some of the province’s top politicians due to his potential to manipulate the situation by revealing their hidden agendas.
“Khalipha knows a lot of secrets, which is why he remains untouchable. Do you remember how long it took to charge him? The media’s relentless pressure on the NPA (National Prosecuting Authority) and the police over his alleged offence ultimately led to his arrest.
“He is one politician about whom many, even in the PEC and NEC, are afraid to say any-thing negative. He is aware of their secrets, and they are now apprehensive that he might reveal them if he chooses to speak,” a PEC member stated.
An NEC member stated that if those who are in top leadership positions within the party are scared to force Khalipha to step aside, then it will be clear that the party has a double standards when dealing with those charged criminally.
“We forced Ace Magashule to step aside before he resigned to start his own party, and we also forced former Limpopo Treasurer Danny Msiza to step aside about five years ago.”
He said although criminal charges forced Zandile Gumede and Mandla Msibi to step aside, they continued to participate in party activities.
The member also said that ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula recently removed Xolani Tseletsele as the mayor of Kopanong municipality after he threatened and insulted a resident, but has failed to take action against Khalipha.
“What nonsense is this that we are witnessing in this party?”
The member lamented that the inconsistent application of the rule would compromise the party‘s credibility.
“That guy may compromise the party’s election campaign if he is not removed, as the people will see that not all animals are equal when it comes to the step-aside rule,” said the member.
Free State police spokesperson Captain Stephen Thakeng said: “We can confirm that the executive mayor of Matjhabeng, Councillor Thanduxolo Khalipha [63] has been formally charged on April 18 2024. He is facing common assault and two counts of crimen injuria. The mayor has been summoned to appear in Odendaalsrus magistrate’s court on May 24, 2024.”
ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said: “We are not commenting on that story. Internal disciplinary processes are underway. That is all we are willing to say.”
The South African Municipal Workers Union provincial secretary in Free State, Tiisetso Mahlatsi, said: “This special treatment the ‘national mayor’ [Khalipha] enjoys from the provincial and national leadership has boosted his ego and his arrogance has propelled him to alarming proportions.”
