The ANC in Limpopo has initiated a political shake-up in the troubled Makhado Municipality, recalling Chief Whip Samson Baloyi from his position during a provincial executive committee (PEC) meeting held at Frans Mohlala House in Polokwane on Monday, 28 July. The reshuffle included officials from other municipalities across the province.
The party clarified that Baloyi would remain an ordinary councillor, without any leadership role.
On 30 July, Baloyi held a press briefing at his office, accusing the municipality of widespread corruption, financial mismanagement, and nepotism. He claimed the institution's finances had "collapsed" and that funds allocated by the Treasury had been misused. He alleged that R16 million in recovered VBS Mutual Bank funds had been spent without council approval, and said both the mayor and municipal manager had denied him access to financial reports.
Baloyi told journalists he had "resigned with clean hands" because of the alleged corruption, and claimed he had written several letters to ANC structures at regional, provincial and national levels — but never received a response. However, Vhembe ANC spokesperson Frank Tshililo denied receiving any resignation letter from Baloyi. "Regional officials met with him on 27 July, and he didn't present any resignation," said Tshililo. "We were surprised by his claims."
ANC provincial secretary Vhamusanda Vho-Reuben Madadzhe said the PEC meeting had been held to assess governance and organisational progress, and to provide political guidance across the province. "The PEC received reports from all five regions and reaffirmed its commitment to unity, renewal, and service delivery," he said.
Responding to Baloyi's press briefing, Madadzhe said: "We heard he told the media he resigned before his recall, due to corruption and maladministration. That is false. The ANC did not receive any resignation letter from him."
Madadzhe confirmed that the PEC had resolved to act on the conduct and performance of three deployees: the Makhado Chief Whip, the chairperson of MPAC in Letaba Municipality, and the Speaker of Mogalakwena Municipality.
The press briefing Baloyi attempted to hold at the municipality premises was disrupted. Security removed both him and the attending media, and the briefing continued outside.
Democratic Alliance councillor Glenda Furumela welcomed Baloyi's removal, blaming him for instability in the council. She said that instead of working to pass the municipal budget, Baloyi had "promoted divide-and-rule politics".
Furumela also cited a 31 May incident, where Baloyi and five ANC councillors allegedly stayed in the council chamber until midnight to prevent other councillors from reconvening a meeting that had collapsed earlier.
She further accused Baloyi of playing a central role in the irregular appointment of a CFO, which led to a legal battle the municipality lost. "More than half-a-million rand was wasted on legal fees. That money should have gone to service delivery," she said.
Meanwhile, Elijah Liremi, chairperson of the Sinthumule-Kutama Crisis Committee, dismissed Baloyi's claims, labelling him "a confused, bitter and jealous councillor".
"His bitterness has led him to mislead the community," said Liremi. "We call on the people of Makhado to treat his allegations like a dog food advertisement. He doesn't care about the municipality — only his personal agenda."