This follows the resignation of the embattled corruption-accused former mayor, Kgotso Khumalo.

Mataboge was elected as the new mayor during a special council sitting on Friday.

The sitting was overshadowed by drama with opposition parties walking out. 

The municipal spokesperson, Willie Maphosa, says only ANC council members and the two independents voted in favour of Mataboge whilst the EFF, Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) and DA staged a walkout. 

Meanwhile, the former mayor is amongst few ANC members in the North West who were affected by the party's step-aside policy.

He was then asked by the party’s Provincial Interim Committee (PIC) to step aside or face suspension from the party. Khumalo is said to have allegedly refused to step down initially but eventually did step aside from his post. 

Khumalo was nabbed by the Hawks in 2020 and appeared at the Potchefstroom Magistrate’s Court on charges relating to fraud and theft, amounting to R5 million. He stands accused of channelling money from a trust account intended for the municipality, into their accounts for personal use. It is alleged that the funds in the trust were misrepresented to appear as if they were being used to pay for services rendered to the municipality, while invoices were allegedly being falsified.

 OFM News