The embattled Emfuleni Local Municipality has once again been thrust into the political spotlight as internal tensions within the ANC escalate following the Sedibeng Regional Conference, with Executive Mayor Sipho Radebe facing a recall.

In a bid to retain his position, Radebe has formally approached the party’s national leadership for intervention. In a letter to ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula, he said Sedibeng regional leaders summoned him and requested that he resign, citing the municipality’s persistent financial strain and service delivery failures.

Radebe disputes that characterisation, arguing it overlooks the depth of the crisis he inherited when he assumed office in 2021.

“This characterisation is neither politically fair nor factually accurate,” he wrote, adding that the municipality was in a far worse condition when his administration took over.

He suggests the move may be driven by internal party dynamics rather than an objective performance assessment, particularly in the wake of 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.

The mayor argues that decisions of this scale should not be taken without allowing him to present directly to provincial leaders, citing what he describes as the structural and historical nature of the municipality’s problems.

“I have further been informed that the Provincial Office Bearers of Gauteng have been engaged on this matter and that deliberations are being conducted largely on the basis of reports submitted by the Regional Office Bearers. I respectfully submit that it is procedurally and politically improper for such far-reaching conclusions to be reached without affording me an opportunity to present directly to the Provincial leadership,” he said.

Radebe maintains he is prepared to step aside if instructed by the party, but only on the basis of principle and evidence rather than what he calls exaggerated or factional claims.

In his submission, Radebe details a range of measures undertaken during his tenure, arguing they demonstrate incremental progress despite coalition politics and a legacy of financial collapse.

These include water and sanitation upgrades in partnership with Rand Water, improvements in Municipal Infrastructure Grant spending, and a distribution agreement with Eskom that resulted in debt relief of nearly R1.9 billion.

He also cites stabilisation of senior management, infrastructure planning initiatives and steps to implement the municipality’s Financial Recovery Plan.

Key achievements and interventions since 2021

1. Water and sanitation stabilisation

• Establishment of a Special Purpose Vehicle with Rand Water to stabilise supply, reduce non-revenue water and address sewer spillages.
• Section 63 interventions under the Water Services Act, including refurbishment of four pump stations, replacement of more than 50 collapsed sewer lines and upgrades to major sewer pipelines.
• A R68 million sewer upgrade project in Sebokeng North and Evaton was completed in November 2025, benefiting about 94 000 residents.

2. Infrastructure and service delivery oversight

• MIG expenditure rising from 3 percent in 2021 to full spending in the last financial year, with 64 percent already spent in the current year.
• Recognition from SALGA as third runner-up for most improved municipality in reducing water losses, with a 45 percent reduction.
• Debt relief of about R1.9 billion following an Eskom distribution agreement.
• Development of electricity, water and sanitation asset management master plans.
• Procurement of a new maintenance fleet, including compactor trucks, tipper trucks, skip loaders and other service vehicles.

After outlining these interventions, Radebe criticised regional party leadership, arguing they have also 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.

ANC Sedibeng regional spokesperson Mphikeleli Msibi said the mayor’s letter was not discussed at the meeting with regional officials and criticised his decision to escalate the matter to national leadership, describing it as a breach of organisational protocol.

“The matters raised by the executive mayor were never ventilated during the meeting held between regional officials and the mayor on Tuesday, 10 February 2026. It is therefore perturbing that he resorted to lodging a complaint with upper structures,” Msibi said.

He added that redeployment decisions are governed by internal ANC processes and broader consultations following conference resolutions, aimed at strengthening governance across municipalities in the region.

Msibi also rejected Radebe’s suggestion that other leaders should be removed, saying municipal officials are appointed under the Municipal Systems Act and that the matter is internal to the municipality rather than the party.

He emphasised that employment and operational issues fall within municipal administration, not the ANC.

ANC national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu‑Motsiri declined to comment, noting that correspondence to the Secretary-General’s office is treated as internal communication unless stated otherwise.

The dispute unfolds against the backdrop of Emfuleni’s prolonged governance and financial turmoil. The municipality has been subject to recurring provincial interventions since 2018, alongside persistent service delivery failures, mounting debt to bulk suppliers and deteriorating infrastructure.

While the ANC acknowledges some progress under the Financial Recovery Plan, regional leaders concede that earlier interventions yielded limited results, particularly in resolving entrenched liabilities.

karabo.ngoepe@inl.co.za 

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