ANC recalls Madibeng mayor Douglas Maimane after leaked audio surfaces
Maimane was recorded offering opposition councillors money to campaign against his own party ahead of local elections.
ANC recalls Madibeng mayor Douglas Maimane after leaked audio surfaces
Maimane was recorded offering opposition councillors money to campaign against his own party ahead of local elections.
The ANC has recalled Madibeng mayor Douglas Maimane following the emergence of an audio recording in which he allegedly offered opposition councillors R200,000 to campaign against his party ahead of local government elections.123 ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula confirmed the recall decision on Tuesday after meeting with North West provincial leadership.23
The 30-minute recording, made during a meeting on 10 March at Amigos Guesthouse in Brits, captured Maimane addressing African Independent Congress councillor Peter Tsheola and Forum for Service Delivery councillor Sechaba Sekgotho.123 Municipal manager Quiet Kgatla joined the meeting via speakerphone.123 In the recording, Maimane told the councillors he wanted EFF councillor Stanley Komape present and discussed payment arrangements with the municipal manager.1 After discovering the meeting had been recorded, Maimane sent legal letters to the councillors threatening action if they shared the clip.123
The ANC North West spokesperson Tumelo Maruping said the recall followed the audio leak in which Maimane allegedly colluded with opposition parties against the ANC.4 The party also removed Chief Whip Comrade Phadi, returning him to the position of ordinary councillor.4 Maruping said replacements for both officials would be communicated within 48 hours.4 Before his recall, Maimane called for authentication of the audio, describing it as character assassination designed to advance factional politics.4
Maimane subsequently served the ANC with a lawyer's letter demanding reasons for his removal.5 At a Thursday briefing at Luthuli House, Mbalula said the party was not obliged to provide reasons, stating that ANC deployments were political and the party had the right to recall representatives without explanation.5 Mbalula compared the recall to how ministers are removed from office, saying it was the prerogative of the president to hire and fire, and of the ANC to deploy and recall.5
Maimane had been under increasing scrutiny from the ANC following controversies at the North West municipality, which incorporates Brits and Hartbeespoort.123 The ANC national office expects the provincial structure to nominate three candidates to replace Maimane.23