The ANC says party members need to exercise discipline and follow party instructions as Emfuleni Mayor, Sipho Radebe, tries to hold on to his job and fight a recall.
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The ANC in Gauteng has moved decisively to remove Sipho Radebe as mayor of Emfuleni Local Municipality, making it clear that party discipline must take precedence over internal contestation.
The party says it expects the highest levels of discipline from its members, stressing that cadres must accept organisational instructions.
The statement comes after Radebe wrote to Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula outlining his achievements and requesting intervention following instructions for him to step down.
ANC Gauteng coordinator Hope Papo said decisions on deploying members to positions are handled by regional and provincial officials, warning against attempts to cling to power.
“They are not discussed by the REC, RWC, PTT, or the Working Committee. Deployment matters are matters for officials. Generally, there's no discussion when people are deployed. When people are asked to step down, why should there be an issue?” he said.
Papo cited his own experience of complying with party decisions, saying he was instructed to step down as Gauteng health MEC for the 2014 to 2019 term to allow for greater gender representation in the executive.
“The organisation came to me and said I must not be an MEC in the new term of 2014–2019 because there must be six women MECs. Must I go to the organisation and say there must be hands off me or something like that? Deployment and redeployment are not matters where you apply for a job and then, when there’s a change, some people must intervene. No,” he said.
He called on Radebe to respect the decisions of the regional executive committee and step down.
“It’s incorrect for anybody not to have a discussion when they are deployed. When they are asked to be redeployed, it must be a public issue. When people are employed, there’s no letter which is sent to anybody. People just thank the organisation for their appointments,” he said.
In his effort to retain his position, Radebe wrote to Mbalula stating that Sedibeng regional leaders summoned him and asked for his resignation, citing the municipality’s ongoing financial strain and service delivery failures.
Radebe disputes this characterisation, arguing it ignores the severity of the crisis he inherited when he took office in 2021. He suggested the move could be driven by internal party dynamics rather than an objective assessment of his performance, particularly after recent regional political developments.
“I respectfully submit that this characterisation is neither politically fair nor factually accurate, particularly when properly contextualised against the condition of the municipality at the time I assumed office in 2021. At that point, Emfuleni was facing a far more devastating financial, infrastructure, and service delivery crisis than is the case today,” he said.
Radebe also criticised regional party leadership, saying they have long been embedded in the municipality and should share responsibility for governance outcomes.
He listed several figures holding roles within the institution, including regional chairperson Mlungisi Hlongwane, regional secretary Jason Mkhwane, deputy regional chairperson Sibongile Soxuza and regional treasurer Hassan Mako, among others.
“These comrades have been part of both the political and administrative leadership and are aware of the scale and historical origins of Emfuleni’s challenges. To suggest that my removal alone will stabilise the municipality within seven to nine months is inconsistent with the principle of collective leadership and responsibility,” he said.
Papo said Radebe’s letter would be considered but criticised his response, adding that stepping down does not mean losing employment.
“The people are not being told to go and sit at home. The issue of being a chair, a chief whip, an MMC, it’s an addition to you being a public representative. Our spokesperson himself, he was an MEC for Cogta. He did not make a hullabaloo when he was no longer an MEC. So we must send a message to all ANC members who are chairpersons, chief whips, MMCs, and MECs, that deployment is not a matter for mass discussion. When you are deployed, there’s no discussion. When there’s a change, you must accept that there’s going to be a change because the organisation has made particular decisions. This is the discipline we expect from all public representatives of the ANC,” he said.
Radebe is expected to vacate his position in the coming days. The ANC is currently holding its Lekgotla, where engagements on the sidelines are expected to take place with him before a final decision is confirmed.
Regional spokesperson Mphikeleli Sibeko said the party is clear on the way forward and expects Radebe to follow procedures.
“We expect him to tender his resignation,” he said.