The African National Congress (ANC) has dismissed Madibeng Mayor Douglas Maimane following serious allegations that he colluded with opposition councillors in a scheme to undermine his own party.
Why He Was Fired
According to ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula, the party acted after reports emerged of a secret meeting and alleged bribery plot involving the mayor.
At the centre of the scandal is a 30-minute audio recording from a meeting held on 10 March at a guesthouse in Brits. In the recording, Maimane is allegedly heard:
- Offering opposition councillors R200,000 to run a smear campaign against the ANC
- Encouraging narratives that blame ANC infighting instead of governance failures
- Urging opposition figures to convince voters to abandon the ruling party
Additional Allegations
The recording further alleges that:
- Maimane distributed R500 in cash as “petrol money” to attendees
- He warned those present not to visit his home to avoid suspicion
- He expressed disregard for the ANC’s future, reportedly saying he was serving his final term
He is also said to have involved Municipal Manager Quiet Kgatla during the discussions via speakerphone.
ANC Responds
Mbalula described the allegations as deeply concerning, stating the ANC could not tolerate conduct that compromises the integrity of the organisation.
“If action needs to be taken, we will do so, because it is concerning that an ANC mayor will collude with the opposition,” he said.
Pressure Mounts in Madibeng
The scandal has intensified pressure within the ANC in the North West, particularly in the troubled Madibeng municipality, which has already faced ongoing service delivery challenges and political instability.
The dismissal marks a significant move by the party as it seeks to manage internal discipline ahead of upcoming local government elections.
