KIMBERLEY, NORTHERN CAPE — The ANC Northern Cape has expelled five councillors serving in the Sol Plaatje Municipality following a formal disciplinary process. The decision, which comes just four months before the local government elections, was taken after the officials were found guilty of misconduct that brought the organization into disrepute.
According to the party, the dismissed councillors were found to have acted against ANC values and violated the disciplinary code by contravening the organization’s established rules and procedures. Because the dismissals occur so close to the local government elections, the resulting vacancies at the municipal council cannot be filled.
The political landscape in the Sol Plaatje Municipality adds complexity to the situation, as the ANC does not hold an overall majority in the council and currently relies on a coalition with the GOOD Party for governance. Despite the potential electoral impact of losing five council seats, party leadership maintains that upholding internal discipline takes precedence over political calculations.
ANC provincial spokesperson Sandiseni Sithole rejected suggestions that the decision to fire the five councillors would negatively impact the party’s performance in the upcoming polls. Defending the move, Sithole stated that the timing of the disciplinary action does not make it any less necessary.
“No, I don’t think it was an incorrect decision to take towards local government elections and I don’t think it will be sending a wrong signal to our people,” Sithole said. “Ill discipline is ill discipline and it doesn’t matter who does it at what time.”
