The ANC took disciplinary action against the councillors who included the former mayor, Mazwi Moruri, and former Speaker, Jarious Modisakeng, on charges including sowing division within the party’s caucus. However, governance experts argue that the removals do little to address the municipality’s systemic failures.

North-West University (NWU) political analyst Prof. Kedibone Phago called the expulsion “a two-fold, complex issue,” and strongly questioned whether it would have any positive impact on service delivery or the well-being of Ditsobotla residents.

“Firstly, we are dealing with a situation – a governance collapse in the municipality. The people of Ditsobotla have, for many, many years, suffered under this municipality, and the ANC has been at the centre of this neglect and has managed to evade accountability in so many ways. Obviously, this is untenable for this kind of municipality that is not sustainable; it is not able to provide basic services.”

Phago went further to question the legitimacy of Ditsobotla as a functioning municipality, noting its failure to fulfil constitutional obligations.

“We are not even sure if we have a municipality in the real sense of the word as outlined in our Constitution because we need to understand that local governance is a constitutional feature, it’s a very important part or sphere of government, and it seeks to provide basic services. But this municipality has not lived up to that for many, many years. And no one – not our president, not our ministers in Cogta, or even the national treasury, not the premier, no one – actually came down to solve the major, major governance problems that this municipality is facing.”

The SABC reported that the ANC North West’s provincial secretary, Louis Diremelo, confirmed that the councillors’ expulsion could trigger by-elections. “In case the accused in this matter are not making any appeals, the ANC will ask the municipality to declare a vacancy. In this instance, these are ward councillors. We will definitely go to by-elections. I must indicate that on our side, we accept the decisions and we are happy with the process that has unfolded.”

ANC councillors expelled in Ditsobotla 

However, Phago warned that the underlying problems in Ditsobotla go beyond internal party discipline, citing long-standing factionalism within the ANC that has spilt into municipal governance.

“This is complicated by the fact that when councillors are sworn in, they are sworn in to serve the people of the municipality, their customers. They are sworn in to provide meaningful public participation and ensure there is service delivery. But what we observe here is that the failure of the functioning council for many, many years has actually rendered this situation very desperate.”

He stressed that the people of Ditsobotla are unlikely to see improvement, regardless of which side, whether the ANC or the ousted councillors, emerge victorious.

Phago said the situation should serve as a wake-up call to residents. He urged the community to reflect on their political choices and hold all leaders accountable regardless of political affiliation.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi cg