ANC expels three councillors as one prepares to fight it at polls
EKURHULENI — The ANC has expelled three Ekurhuleni councillors for allegedly supporting political organisations competing against it, weeks before the local government elections. One of those removed, Sibusiso Dlamini, had already announced that he would contest his Thokoza ward for another party after accusing the ANC of mishandling its candidate-selection process.
Thato Mashiane, Thembinkosi Lubisi and Dlamini had their party membership terminated with immediate effect. According to the regional leadership’s account, the decisions followed notices issued on 2 October requiring the councillors to explain their conduct, and a special Regional Working Committee meeting on 7 October. Formal expulsion notices were issued on 9 October.
Regional secretary Moipone Mhlongo said the findings concerned support for rival organisations, campaigning against endorsed ANC candidates and failure to comply with party directives. The ANC presented the action as enforcement of membership obligations and organisational discipline. The reports reviewed do not contain detailed responses from Mashiane or Lubisi to those findings.
Dlamini’s dispute was already public. In a 24 September interview with Sunday World, he said he would seek re-election in Ward 52 under the Service Delivery Party banner. He alleged that branch leaders had failed to honour candidate-selection guidelines and Provincial List Committee rulings, although he did not explain the precise ruling he believed had been ignored.
His account places the expulsion within a contest over who should represent the community. Dlamini said he had decided against running as an independent and believed his local support could help him retain the seat. His earlier remarks explain his decision to campaign elsewhere, but are not a response to the subsequent expulsion notice.
In a separate decision, the ANC instructed Ward 79 councillor Njabulo Mbonani to step aside immediately and gave him 48 hours to confirm acceptance. The Citizen reported that Dorah Mlambo had been earmarked to provide interim coverage, subject to legal and administrative processes. The report did not explain the specific reason for Mbonani’s directive, and it should not be assumed to involve a criminal charge.
The party also named Thabang Jiyane, Pelisa Nkunjana and Lumka Poki to provide interim coverage in wards 2, 71 and 52 respectively. It said it had approached the Electoral Commission and the municipality about declaring vacancies. Those party arrangements do not, on their own, establish that replacement ward councillors have been elected or formally installed.
The practical concern for residents is continuity of representation. Ekurhuleni describes ward councillors as the link between communities and council, responsible for reporting back through meetings and helping identify priorities for municipal planning. Changes shortly before an election leave residents needing clarity about who handles outstanding complaints and local engagements.
The next developments are the municipality’s formal handling of any vacancies, Mbonani’s response and any challenges to the expulsions. In Ward 52, the internal candidate dispute has already become an electoral contest, with Dlamini seeking voters’ support against the party that brought him into council.
Anyone with additional information can contact the press desk at press@townpress.co.za or drop a tip on our annonymous platform https://tips.townpress.co.za/