The ANC caucus in Madibeng Local Municipality is divided over whether Executive Mayor Douglas Seleke Maimane should remain in office, as the governing party was forced to withdraw its decision to recall him pending the outcome of an ongoing court battle.
The divisions emerged after ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula on Wednesday effectively suspended the implementation of the party’s decision to remove Maimane, following legal threats from the mayor’s lawyers who accused the ANC of acting in contempt of court.
A source familiar with developments within the municipality told Africa Daily that ANC members were split on the matter.
“The members are divided. Especially now with the matter in court after being interdicted by Maimane and national structures being forced to withdraw the recall. Some want him to remain but some want him out,” the source said.
The development marks the latest twist that has exposed deep tensions within the ANC in the troubled North West municipality.
On Tuesday, Mbalula announced that the ANC had resolved to recall Maimane from his deployment as executive mayor. The decision was approved by the ANC North West Provincial Executive Committee and endorsed by the Office of the Secretary-General.
At the time, Mbalula instructed the ANC caucus in Madibeng to implement the decision through lawful municipal council processes, arguing that public office remained a deployment that could be withdrawn when a cadre no longer advanced the organisation’s mandate.
However, Maimane’s legal team responded with a letter of demand, warning that the recall was unlawful and in direct violation of a court order granted in May.
In the letter, seen by Africa Daily, the lawyers argued that the ANC’s actions amounted to contempt of court and warned that criminal charges would be laid against Mbalula should the party proceed.
The lawyers cited an interdict granted on 12 May 2026, which declared that any attempt by the ANC to force Maimane from office while the matter remained before the courts would be unlawful.
“You are herewith given until 08:00 tomorrow to withdraw the recall and retract the press release, failing which we will approach the High Court for contempt of court against yourself and all implicated parties,” the letter stated.
Faced with the legal challenge, Mbalula issued a fresh statement on Wednesday confirming that the ANC would not proceed with the recall process for now.
“The matters concerning the Madibeng Local Municipality are the subject of a legal process, and the ANC will allow that process to take its proper course,” Mbalula said.
“Accordingly, and pending the conclusion of that process, no steps will be taken to give effect to any change in the office of the Executive Mayor.”
He maintained, however, that the ANC remained committed to removing Maimane and would pursue the matter through legal channels.
“The ANC will act only through lawful and constitutional means, and within the framework of its own Constitution,” he said.
Mbalula added that the party remained convinced that municipalities existed to serve communities and not individual political interests.
“This does not alter the movement’s firm conviction that our municipalities exist to serve the people, that no individual can hold the people and the movement at ransom via internal processes and legal manoeuvrings.”
The recall stems from a leaked audio recording that surfaced in April, in which Maimane was allegedly heard offering opposition councillors R200 000 to work against the ANC ahead of next year’s local government elections.
Maimane has denied wrongdoing and challenged efforts to remove him from office.
The dispute has already been the subject of several court battles. Earlier this year, Maimane obtained an interdict preventing a motion of no confidence from proceeding against him. That council sitting later collapsed after DA and EFF councillors staged a walkout.
The latest court order has allowed him to remain in office while the legal challenge continues.
The political turmoil comes as Madibeng Municipality continues to battle severe service delivery challenges, including recurring water and sanitation failures, deteriorating infrastructure, financial instability and high vacancy rates.
The municipality has long been plagued by political infighting, governance disputes and allegations of corruption, factors widely blamed for undermining service delivery in the area.
However, Maimane for now remains in office while the courts determine the legality of the ANC’s attempts to remove him, with the party within the municipality appearing divided over his future.