In a letter addressed to Elias Ntlebi, the ANC’s provincial Secretary-General Polediso Motsoeneng confirmed the decision was taken during a PWC meeting on 20 January. Ntlebi was given until 16:00 on Thursday (6/2) to tender his resignation.

Ntlebi’s removal from his position at the Bothaville-based local authority adds to the growing list of ANC councillors in the Free State who have been dismissed or disciplined in recent years. 

In 2023, eight ANC councillors were expelled for allegedly colluding with opposition parties to elect DA candidate Maryke Davies as speaker of the Mangaung Metro council. At the time, the ANC held a majority of 51 council members, but internal divisions led to Lawrance Mathae losing the speakership to Davies before eventually reclaiming it.

Elias Ntlebi. Photo: Facebook

Among those expelled was former Mangaung Deputy Mayor Mapaseka Nkoane, who later joined the African Congress for Transformation, the party founded by former ANC Secretary-General Ace Magashule. Former Free State ANC Chief Whip Vusi Tshabalala, suspended for allegedly supporting independent candidates in 2021, defected to former Pres. Jacob Zuma’s MK Party.

The ANC’s handling of leadership disputes continues to draw scrutiny, particularly in cases involving controversial figures such as Matjhabeng Mayor Thanduxolo Khalipha. Despite being placed on “step-aside” orders, Khalipha remains a divisive figure within the party.

‘Undermining renewal agenda’

In December, Pule Maile, Ward 31 ANC councillor and a member of Nehawu and Cosatu, wrote to ANC national officials and the national executive committee, accusing the provincial leadership of undermining the party’s renewal agenda by shielding Khalipha.

Khalipha had been fined R5,000, with an additional R1,000 penalty, after being found guilty of assaulting his bodyguard.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi cg