The infighting within the ranks of the African National Congress (ANC) has once again disrupted the workings of Makhado Municipality, leading to the postponement of a council meeting scheduled for 7 May. The meeting collapsed after Speaker Gumani Mukwevho Mitileni requested that Municipal Manager Kent Nemaname excuse himself from the session.
Councillors present were stunned when the Speaker insisted she could not chair the meeting while Nemaname was in attendance. Mitileni argued that she had suspended him last month, but councillors disputed her authority to do so without the approval of the full council.
Despite the alleged suspension, Nemaname has continued to carry out his duties. Mpho Rathando, spokesperson for the municipality, confirmed that Nemaname remains in office and is performing his responsibilities as usual.
In March, the Speaker announced the formation of a seven-member committee to investigate the municipal manager. However, the legitimacy of this "ad hoc committee" has been questioned by several ANC councillors and opposition parties, who dismissed it as "silly games" at the expense of ratepayers. The municipality has officially distanced itself from the process.
A political power struggle
The rift between ANC factions was also evident during the party's regional conference at the start of May, held at the Kalahari Lodge near Nandoni Dam. Disputes arose over the election process and eligibility of delegates.
The matter ended up in the High Court in Thohoyandou, where a faction led by Vhembe regional coordinator Rudzani Ludere sought to halt the proceedings. Applicants included Gumani Mukwevho Mitileni (Makhado Speaker), Sampson Baloyi (Makhado Chief Whip), and councillor Jeanet Matumba.
The Ludere faction was dealt a blow — not only was the court application dismissed, but Limpopo MEC for Economic Development, Environment and Tourism Tshitereke Matibe was re-elected as regional chairperson of the ANC in Vhembe. Matibe is backed by Makhado Mayor Dorcus Mboyi. The Speaker and her allies, it seems, remain undeterred by the outcome.
Accusations of misconduct and calls for removal
Several councillors, including those from the ANC, have accused Mukwevho Mitileni of failing to uphold the council's code of conduct. They argue her inability to chair meetings effectively and enforce rules has hampered the municipality's functioning.
Opposition parties and some ANC councillors are now calling for her removal. "The Speaker's failure to comply with the council's rules and the ongoing infighting are severely harming the municipality," one councillor said.
Khakhathi Tshisikule, leader of the International Revelation Congress (IRC) in Vhembe, said his party had lost confidence in the Speaker's leadership. He accused Mitileni of exploiting the council for personal interests and called on her to resign.
"We are fed up with the Speaker continuously using the council as her business," Tshisikule said. "We want her to step down for her personal interests." He also criticised her for a lack of leadership and mismanagement, saying the relationship between the Speaker and councillors had deteriorated since her appointment.
"Service delivery has suffered due to the infighting and poor leadership," he added, reiterating the call for her removal. "The Speaker has failed to chair council meetings effectively on several occasions since last year."
DA condemns unilateral suspension of Nemaname
Jacques Smalle, provincial chairperson of the Democratic Alliance (DA), also condemned the Speaker's actions, criticising her unilateral suspension of Nemaname.
"As the DA, we cannot support what the Speaker did. Taking the resolution to suspend the municipal manager on her own is a total abuse of power and selfishness," said Smalle. "That is the responsibility of the entire council, not just the Speaker."
Smalle added that ANC infighting was delaying service delivery. "Voters and citizens are no longer the ANC's priority. Their focus has shifted to power and control," he said. He also accused the Speaker of having a personal vendetta against Nemaname and acting outside the law.
He concluded by calling for accountability: "The council must ensure the Speaker is held to the same standards as everyone else."
Efforts to obtain comment from the Mitileni camp drew a blank. One of the councillors in her group said they were afraid to speak out after what had happened at the regional conference.
The councillor said they had not yet been informed of a new date for the council meeting. He added that if the municipal manager were present, the meeting would likely be disrupted again. He said the Speaker was currently busy writing exams and was not available for comment.