This comes after a directive by ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula, dated 9 April 2025, instructing the party’s Free State leadership to reinstate Thanduxolo Khalipha pending the outcome of internal processes. Mbalula stated that the matter had been escalated to the ANC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and was removed from provincial jurisdiction due to its divisive nature.

“The report received by the NEC noted that Khalipha was found guilty of assaulting a close protection officer and sentenced to three months imprisonment with the option of a R7,000 fine,” Mbalula said.

Mbalula said the matter was removed from the administrative and political realm of the Free State province because it had become too divisive and further adding to the already dire political environment in the province.

The Ward 19 Branch Executive Committee (BEC) in Matjhabeng, situated in the Lejweleputswa region, wrote a letter to the ANC NEC, calling for the reversal of the decision to reinstate Khalipha as Matjhabeng mayor.

Chairperson of Ward 19 ANC BEC, Pasi Selacoe, has been vocal about the matter, questioning why Khalipha is being reinstated while his case is still before the party’s Integrity Commission.

“The dispute of Khalipha’s reinstatement is based on contravening the constitution, misleading the organisation and his unethical behaviour and misconduct,” said Selacoe. “As part of renewal, we don’t need such characters in the ANC. His reinstatement as the mayor will only bring more harm to the ANC than good.”

Selacoe criticised the provincial ANC leadership for allegedly giving Khalipha significant responsibilities such as coordinating the January 8 event in Parys, despite being on step-aside.

He further alleged that Khalipha’s behaviour has been damaging to the party's public image. He said during one of his marathon imbizos, he allegedly degraded and insulted women of Ward 12 in Oppenheimer Park, saying they only know how to make babies with Shangaan people. Selacoe further alleged that Khalipha constantly boasts about being under the protection of the State President and stating that he is untouchable.

Adding to the controversy, Selacoe accused Khalipha of using vulgar and derogatory language against community members and warned that his reinstatement risks dividing the community and eroding trust in the ANC.

NEC ruled on his matter based on half the information

“The comrade then filed an appeal. Unfortunately, that information could not reach the NEC, and as a result, the NEC ruled on his matter [based] on half [the] information … he is still attending a court case when his matter was decided.”

Khalipha’s conviction was upheld by the Odendaalsrus Magistrate’s Court on 22 April 2025, where he confirmed assaulting his bodyguards.

Meanwhile, the DA in Matjhabeng has called for an urgent motion of no confidence in Khalipha. DA Councillor in the ailing municipality, Coreen Malherbe, expressed concern about the mayor’s prolonged absence from office and the lack of transparency surrounding his conduct.

“Khalipha has been absent from work since May 2024, and an acting executive mayor has had to stand in for his duties for nearly eight months,” said Malherbe. “Numerous questions were asked in council about the executive mayor's whereabouts, but no clarity was ever given.”

Malherbe said a social media rumour about Khalipha’s return was validated by the council speaker, prompting a special council meeting on 16 April 2025 to brief councillors on the matter.

“In January 2025, the council resolved to establish an ad hoc committee to investigate the mayor’s conduct. The DA also initiated a motion of no confidence in the Executive Mayor on 21 January 2025,” she added. “Pending the outcome of the investigations, the speaker held the motion in abeyance.”

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi cg