Tzaneen Mayor Defies ANC Recall Amid Allegations of Party Funding Disputes
A political standoff has erupted in the Greater Tzaneen Municipality after Mayor Gerson Phetole Molapisane refused to resign following a recall order from the African National Congress (ANC). The move, which took place on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, has divided the party in Limpopo, pitting allegations of insubordination against claims of a factional “purge” within the party’s regional leadership.
- The Conflict: The ANC’s provincial executive committee (PEC) decided to remove Mayor Molapisane from office.
- The Allegations: Party leadership claims the mayor was “arrogant, stubborn and selfish,” specifically citing a failure to fund various ANC events.
- The Defense: Allies of the mayor argue the move is a factional power play unrelated to service delivery.
- The Stance: Mayor Molapisane has refused to tender his resignation despite the party’s directive.
Financial Disputes and Allegations of Insubordination
The push for Molapisane’s removal stems from a series of grievances held by the ANC’s Norman Mashabane regional leadership. According to sources within the region, the mayor upset party officials by refusing to provide financial support for several key political gatherings.
The specific allegations include the mayor’s failure to contribute to the following:
- The cost of buses used to transport party members to the January 8 celebrations in Moruleng, North West.
- The Limpopo ward councillors nominations lunch held at the Giyani Stadium.
- The Workers Day event at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.
- The hiring of gazebos for a party jamboree.
These financial disputes led the party to label Molapisane as stubborn and accused him of failing to take instructions from his political superiors, as reported by The Citizen.
Service Delivery vs. Political Loyalty
Despite the internal friction, Molapisane—known locally as “Khwakhwashimba-Ya-Bolobedu”—has maintained a strong reputation for infrastructure development and clean governance. Under his leadership, Greater Tzaneen transitioned into a hub of development, with projects expanding into both rural villages and urban centers.
The Mhangwana Appointment
Analysts suggest the roots of the current conflict go deeper than event funding. A primary point of contention was Molapisane’s decision to prioritize professional competence over political preference when appointing the Municipal Manager. He recruited Donald Mhangwana from the provincial government, resisting pressure from political principals who wanted their own preferred candidate installed. This partnership reportedly led to improved audits and multiple awards for the municipality, as detailed by Africa Daily.
Allegations of a Political Purge
The mayor’s supporters view the recall not as a disciplinary action, but as a calculated political strike. Luwie Raphotle, the secretary for Desmond Mahasha Ward 8 in the Bolobedu South area, has accused the ANC in Limpopo of carrying out a “purge” of members. Raphotle maintains that the accusations regarding funding have nothing to do with the mayor’s actual performance or service delivery record.
Looking Ahead
The refusal of Mayor Molapisane to step down creates a precarious situation for the Greater Tzaneen Municipality. With the ANC’s regional and provincial leadership demanding his exit and the mayor remaining in office, the resulting instability could potentially impact the administration’s ability to maintain its current trajectory of development. The resolution of this deadlock will likely depend on whether the ANC provincial leadership chooses to escalate the removal process or find a negotiated settlement.