Ekurhuleni Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza’s decision to remove Finance MMC Jongizizwe Dlabathi from his mayoral committee has been described by ANC insiders as a ‘desperate move’, seemingly because the regional executive committee nominated Dlabathi to contest the mayoral position instead of him.
The development comes as the ANC finalises its mayoral candidates ahead of the 4 November local government elections, with Dlabathi receiving the highest number of nominations for the proportional representation list, while Xhakaza was ranked third, according to Africa Daily sources within the ANC in Ekurhuleni and the municipality.
Dlabathi was also ranked first by the Regional Interview and Vetting Panel following interviews for the mayoral candidates, with Xhakaza coming third, the sources said.
This appears to have angered Xhakaza.
“There was no Regional Office Bearers (ROB) decision to make changes to the Mayoral Committee, nor was there any approval by the upper structures,” one source said.
“It was a desperate move.”
The source said the development should be viewed against the backdrop of the ANC’s candidate-selection process and the contest for political control of Ekurhuleni ahead of the elections.
Xhakaza announced Dlabathi’s removal on Tuesday evening, saying he had acted “after due consultations” and was giving effect to an organisational directive contained in an ANC secretary-general’s office letter dated 29 May 2026.
In a letter addressed to the ANC Ekurhuleni Regional Office Bearers (ROBs), Xhakaza said he had decided to relieve Dlabathi of his full-time executive duties and remove him as a member of the mayoral committee.
He said the decision was aimed at strengthening the ANC’s organisational capacity ahead of the 4 November elections.
“I therefore appoint Ald. Nomadlozi Nkosi as Acting MMC of Finance until a replacement & strengthened MAYCO is announced in due course,” Xhakaza said.
He said the finance portfolio would need to focus on finalising the City’s 2025/26 annual financial statements and ensuring their timely submission to the Auditor-General, leading a revenue collection campaign, managing expenditure and supplier payments, and accelerating alternative revenue-enhancement measures.
But Xhakaza’s move has since run into resistance from ANC Gauteng officials, who have quickly challenged the decision, telling the Ekurhuleni regional leadership that the proposed changes could not proceed without the necessary approval.
In a letter seen by Africa Daily, ANC Gauteng provincial coordinator Sochayile Khanyile said provincial officials had considered the matter following a meeting with the Ekurhuleni ROBs on Tuesday night.
The provincial leadership reminded the regional structure that decisions on changes to the mayoral committee required approval by the provincial officials following a presentation by the ROBs.
“The Regional Office Bearers are instructed to deliberate on the contents of the letter by the Executive Mayor and the matters which were raised by yourselves at the virtual meeting we held last night,” Khanyile said.
“Until then, the Provincial Officials believe the intention to make changes to the Mayoral Committee is premature and cannot be considered.”
The Ekurhuleni ROBs were instructed to engage the provincial officials again after deliberating on Xhakaza’s proposal and making possible recommendations.
The provincial leadership also urged the region to focus on campaigning for the ANC ahead of the elections.
“As you deliberate on the matter at hand, you are urged to ensure that you also accelerate your support to ANC branches and members to focus on the ANC campaign to win the forthcoming local government elections,” Khanyile said.
The intervention places Xhakaza’s proposed removal of Dlabathi under further political scrutiny, with the provincial leadership yet to determine what action should be taken.
The tensions between the two leaders are not new.
Xhakaza and Dlabathi occupy senior positions in the ANC’s Ekurhuleni structures, with Xhakaza serving as the ANC regional chairperson and Dlabathi as the regional secretary.
Their differences have previously centred on the running of the municipality, internal ANC consultation and the City’s coalition arrangements.
Tensions escalated earlier this year after Xhakaza reshuffled his mayoral committee, reducing the EFF’s representation and bringing in councillors from other parties. The EFF subsequently withdrew from the governing coalition.
Dlabathi had criticised aspects of the reshuffle and subsequently resigned from his positions as finance MMC and ANC regional secretary.
However, the ANC’s national leadership intervened and Dlabathi returned to his positions. The dispute was widely viewed as exposing deeper tensions within the ANC’s Ekurhuleni structures.