ANC’s Khalipha mayoral nomination raises questions in Matjhabeng

Central SA

─── KEKELETSO MOSEBETSI 09:26 Sun, 23 Aug 2026

Thanduxolo Khalipha made the cut as one of the Matjhabeng mayoral candidates. Photo: Screenshot

The ANC has listed a convicted mayor as to be one of the party mayoral candidate in the Matjhabeng municipality in the Free State.

ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula announced the party’s mayoral candidates on Saturday (22/8), following what the party described as a rigorous interview process led by the national executive committee (NEC).

Thanduxolo Khalipha was announced alongside Dikeledi Rosemary Direko, Sipho David Manase, Daniel Themba Marothodi, Nyameko Erick Mtebeko, Mpolaile Lydia Radebe and Victoria van Rooyen Victoria as candidates for municipalities across the country.

The Matjhabeng mayoral candidates. Photo: Screenshot

His inclusion has sparked frustration among some residents, with critics accusing the ANC of flouting its own rules by selecting him as a mayoral candidate.

Khalipha was found guilty of assaulting his bodyguard in December 2024. He was also recently named among individuals who will face disciplinary action by the ANC over allegations that they brought the party into disrepute.

The controversy comes against the backdrop of ongoing financial and service delivery challenges in the Matjhabeng municipality. Under Khalipha’s leadership, the municipality has continued to face severe financial management constraints and service delivery failures.

He has also been accused of misleading council through “hollow reports” and undermining provincial intervention efforts aimed at stabilising the financially distressed municipality.

During the funeral of then education MEC Tate Makgoe in 2023, Mbalula had praised Khalipha for his service delivery turnaround strategies, while challenging other regional mayors to emulate his proactive approach. Mbalula had commended Khalipha for introducing active programs aimed at fixing local infrastructure and service delivery issues in Matjhabeng.

Khalipha has for some time faced accusations of leading the municipality “with an iron fist”, with claims that municipal employees increasingly feel victimised and unprotected. Concerns about his leadership also surfaced during a Free State provincial legislature sitting, where the intervention team deployed to Matjhabeng presented a severe assessment of the municipality’s finances.

‘He got a criminal record’

OFM News reported that former Free State MEC Makalo Mohale, who heads the intervention team, accused the municipal leadership of resisting cooperation with provincial efforts to rescue the struggling municipality.

The decision to include Khalipha has also drawn criticism from residents on social media. Victor Morris wrote on Facebook: “Matjhabeng municipality ntate (Mr) standard 3 Thanduxolo Khalipha is coming back as executive mayor of Matjhabeng. Remember he got a criminal record; he is a criminal, tjo (wow), I can’t believe that ANC is bringing back this delinquent.”

Sandile Joseph Mabiza questioned whether Khalipha was the “God of ANC”, while Moselantja Matsheo asked what secret he might hold for the ANC. The ANC announced 226 mayoral candidates across 50 municipalities in all nine provinces.

According to Mbalula, 123, or 54%, of the candidates are women, with candidates ranging in age from 19 to 75. Mbalula said the candidates would be expected to commit themselves to the party’s seven minimum commitments for municipalities.

“What each of them commits to are the seven minimums. Whoever is entrusted will sign the same delivery contract with the people. Seven minimum commitments: reliable water and working sanitation, honest billing and a funded budget.

“A clean audit and an end to wasteful spending. Refuse collected, potholes filled and public realm restored. Affordable public transport, local jobs, safety and responsiveness. A municipality that answers when its people call,” said Mbalula.

The candidates will form a group of three that will lead each municipality if the ANC wins a majority in the respective municipality after the local government elections in November.

Candidates who are not selected as mayors could take up other leadership positions, including chief whip and speaker.

The ANC mayoral candidates in Mangaung metro. Photo: Facebook

Meanwhile, Gregory Nthatisi was announced alongside Thabo Manyoni, Bongani Lawrence Mathae, Theodorah Mosala-Leeuw, Lulama Otidi-titi, Malebo Sekhopi, Vusimozi Simon Sogaqa and Motshewa Martha Tladi as mayoral candidates in the Mangaung metro.

While Malekula Melato was also named alongside Ntombikayise Mofutsanyana-Mbuli, Edwin Pitsi Noe and Tumelo Thebe in the Maluti-A-Phofung municipality.