The ANC has recalled Madibeng Local Municipality Mayor Douglas Maimane from both his mayoral and councillor roles.

• The ANC has recalled Douglas Maimane from his role as mayor of the Madibeng Local Municipality.
• Spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu cited failure to advance the party’s mandate.
• Maimane previously resisted recall attempts and faced allegations of bribery and a motion of no confidence, which was halted by a court interdict.

The ANC has recalled Madibeng Local Municipality Mayor Douglas Maimane from both his mayoral and councillor roles, with immediate effect.

The decision was taken by the ANC North West provincial executive committee (PEC) and was supported by secretary-general Fikile Mbalula, party spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu confirmed in a statement on Tuesday.

Bhengu said the ANC caucus in Madibeng would implement the decision through lawful council processes.

It’s unclear who will replace Maimane; however, because he was a proportional representation (PR) councillor, his replacement could be picked from the caucus. The ANC could also parachute in a new councillor to replace him.

“The ANC deploys its cadres to serve the people and not to serve themselves. A deployment to public office is a responsibility held on behalf of our communities, and it lasts only as long as the cadre advances the movement’s mandate.

“Where that mandate is not advanced, the movement will act accordingly. No individual ambition will be allowed to stand above the needs of the people,” Bhengu said.

The Madibeng municipality covers the towns of Brits, Hartbeespoort and Mooinooi.

READ | Madibeng's top municipal leadership suspended amid allegations of financial misconduct

This is not the first time the ANC recalled Maimane. When the party previously recalled him, he resisted and, through his lawyers, demanded reasons for the recall and challenged it.

Maimane also faced a motion of no confidence from his caucus; however, a court granted an interdict halting the vote. The council sitting collapsed after the DA and EFF staged a walkout.

The former mayor was also in the crosshairs with his party after a 30‑minute recording allegedly captured him offering R200 000 to opposition councillors to mount an anti‑ANC campaign, with the municipal manager joining by phone. The meeting is said to have been at Amigos Guesthouse in Brits.

His recall comes days after the party recalled Emfuleni Local Municipality Mayor Sipho Radebe over service delivery failures.

READ | Emfuleni mayor Sipho Radebe steps down as ANC intervenes

The ANC has previously said it would “intervene” in some municipalities before the November elections.

Bhengu said the discipline of all ANC councillors and public representatives is under careful watch.

“Our public representatives are expected to function within the discipline of the caucus, to account to the structures of the movement, and to keep faith with the communities who elected them,” Bhengu said.

She said this standard would be applied consistently and without fear or favour.

“Our municipalities must work, and they must be singularly focused on the needs of the people: the delivery of basic services, the creation of jobs and economic opportunity, and the safety of our communities.

“Roads must be maintained, water and electricity must flow, refuse must be collected, and our towns and townships must be kept clean and safe.

“These are not favours to be granted; they are the rightful expectations of the people. The ANC will continue to take the decisions necessary to ensure that our municipalities serve the people first, and that the discipline of the movement is upheld in every structure,” Bhengu said.