Sipho Radebe has written a letter to the ANC secretary-general informing him that Sedibeng regional leaders allegedly instructed him to resign because of the Vanderbijlpark-based local authority’s financial collapse and service delivery failures. They ordered him to step down amid worsening financial instability.

The mayor acknowledged Emfuleni remains in severe financial and service delivery distress, citing water interruptions, infrastructure backlogs, and recurring qualified audit outcomes. Still, he insisted these challenges are structural and long-standing.

“I wish to state unequivocally I have no personal attachment to the office and would relinquish it if required by the organisation,” said Radebe. “But only based on principle, honesty, and factual integrity.”

Emfuleni Mayor, Sipho Radebe has written to the ANC SG,Fikile Mbalula asking for his intervention. The ANC regional leadership in Sedibeng has requested that Radebe resign claiming that he has failed to bring about financial stability in the Emfuleni Municipality. #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/MV1N2EFoyW

— Natasha Nokuthula Phiri (@NatashaN_Phiri) February 12, 2026

“To suggest that my removal alone will stabilise the municipality within seven to nine months appears inconsistent with the principle of collective leadership and responsibility.”

In his submission to Fikile Mbalula, the executive mayor outlined a series of interventions undertaken during his tenure. These include negotiating a R1.9bn debt write-off with Eskom and implementing elements of the municipality’s financial recovery plan.

He also highlighted water and sanitation stabilisation efforts in partnership with Rand Water, including the refurbishment of four pump stations and the replacement of more than 50 collapsed sewer lines.

He also mentioned the completion of an R68m sewer upgrade project in Sebokeng North and Evaton in November 2025, benefiting approximately 94,000 residents.

“The FF Plus is not part of this movement, which is calling on the mayor to resign,” said FF Plus Cllr Gerda Senekal. “What is currently unfolding appears to be internal factional infighting at the ANC Sedibeng level.

“The ANC seemingly believes that new leadership will prevent further decline in Sedibeng. Replacing a mayor only ten months before the next election, while the municipality is already under severe pressure, does not serve the residents of Emfuleni.

“However, this political manoeuvring is disrupting stability at the council level and is in no way productive, so close to the end of the current term.” 

Meanwhile, the Emfuleni municipality DA Caucus leader Duncan Mthembu said the party is not part of the internal politics of the ANC. “However, we have tried to put in a motion of no confidence against the same executive mayor before.

“Purely focusing on his incapacity as well as his failure to actually rescue our municipality.”

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