A controversial Free State ANC mayor has defied an order by the party to vacate office as part of its “step-aside policy”.
Matjhabeng Local Municipality mayor Thanduxolo Khalipha was arrested in March and charged with assault and crimen injuria after allegedly assaulting and insulting his bodyguards.
Khalipha allegedly accused the protectors, Frank Moreroa and Sphamandla Msomi, of failing to stand up for him when he was pelted with stones by angry community members
in Odendaalsrus.
Khalipha, who is a former member of parliament, was instructed by the ANC to step aside and also vacate his office as mayor. However, he allegedly showed the party the middle finger and refused to do so.
According to ANC insiders in the provincial executive committee (PEC), Khalipha was instructed last month to leave office but defied the party and instead went on to convene a mayoral meeting and appointed his preferred interim mayor.
It is understood his actions have incensed PEC members who are not in his faction.
“Khalipha was told that his days of enjoying protection from his cabal in the PEC and the NEC were over. He has been behaving like a loose cannon for such a long time and his actions were no longer acceptable,” a PEC member told
Sunday World.
“This guy must just step down as mayor, and if he refuses, then the party should charge him for defiance. Maybe he wants to be expelled as no disciplined member of the ANC would behave the way he does.”
Samwu in the Free State backed the decision to remove Khalipha as mayor.
The union’s provincial secretary Tiisetso Mahlatsi said after the PEC’s decision Khalipha became arrogant and appointed an acting mayor before taking a leave of absence.
“This action is a blatant defiance of the PEC’s decision, essentially declaring that he does not respect the PEC’s authority and considers himself above it.”
Another senior ANC official in the province said Khalipha’s defiance was tantamount to disrespect and that he was showing the party that he was bigger than it.
“This guy actually behaves like a raging pitbull and the worst part is some of the senior ANC leaders are scared of him because he knows their scandals. They are scared if they say anything he will spill the beans and turn the tables on them, hence he is untouchable.
“The PEC must rope in the provincial ANCYL to deal with him, as those kids are not scared of anyone in the province. They know how to deal with stubborn people like Khalipha.”
Khalipha refused to comment on the allegations yesterday citing instructions from the ANC.
“My organisation said that I must not speak to the media.”
ANC Free State spokesperson Jabu Mbalula did not respond to a enquiry on the matter.
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