The Free State ANC has raised the alarm over what they describe as attempts to exploit the legal woes of Matjhabeng’s mayor for personal gain.

ANC Free State Chairperson Mxolisi Dukwana expressed concerns about individuals waiting for Matjhabeng Mayor Thaduxolo Khalipha’s downfall to gain access to municipal resources.

Khalipha is set to appear at the Odendaalsrus Magistrate’s Court on assault charges. He was arrested and released shortly after, on Thursday (18/4), once he was formally charged for an incident earlier in April when he allegedly assaulted his bodyguard.

Speaking to the SABC, Dukwana highlighted the party’s vigilance in ensuring no one takes advantage of the mayor’s legal troubles.

“The report that we received was that there was no beating of any person, or assault of any person but it was an exchange in a car when the mayor was not happy about what was happening. And he drew the driver's attention to a possible problem that may arise if he was to speed up.

“But it is what it is and we have to look into that because we know some people are waiting for the mayor’s fall to access the resources there. We are constantly making sure that nothing of that sort happens.”

Khalipha has been under increased scrutiny and has faced numerous protests recently, with many wondering if he will abide by his political party’s step-aside policy and recuse himself.

“The ANC rule is clear that once you have been criminally charged on ferrous charges like corruption, the step-aside rule has to be implemented,” said a political analyst at the University of the Free State, Sethugelo Matebesi. “But the step-aside rule is all about individual members of the ANC taking a voluntary decision to step aside, and this will only be enforced when a member does not take any action.

The political analyst at the University of the Free State, Setlhogelo Matebesi. Photo: OFM News

“But we’ve also seen, there is a lot of political meddling around the step-aside rule, where it seems as if action is taken quickly against certain members of the ANC, and it will be quite interesting to see on the eve of the election – what is going to happen with this particular matter because, at the end of the day, it does affect the reputation of the ANC, it does affect the province going forward.”

Opposition Parties such as ActionSA have called for Khalipha to vacate office as the mayor of the embattled Matjhabeng Municipality following complaints about his conduct towards employees, allegations of maladministration, and misuse of municipal resources.

ActionSA Free State Chairperson Patricia Kopane welcomed Khalipha’s arrest and said they had warned that he is not fit for office and should rather be jailed.

“Instead of getting him arrested, he was protected, now he proves beyond doubt that he is not a leader but an impulsive man who is overcome by emotions. Matjhabeng is not in the mess it is in due to lack of resources but because of poor leadership.”

Kopane said her party had requested the office of Public Protector and Auditor-General to probe allegations levelled against Khalipha and nothing was done.

Residents were left stranded for weeks without any services due to the dispute between municipal officials and Samwu, who demanded the removal of Khalipha from office, amongst other things. Despite the intervention from the national Government, the woes between the two parties continued, as members of Samwu were told that Khalipha would only be removed from office by the ANC, as the party deployed him.

ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula previously showered Khalipha with praise for coming up with a turnaround strategy and called on other mayors in the province to follow in his footsteps.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi cg