The African National Congress (ANC) in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda region has officially announced the expulsion of Maquassi Hills Local Municipality Executive Mayor, Councillor Mzwandile Abel Feliti , with immediate effect on Thursday, 25 March 2026.
This decision was confirmed during an official media briefing, where the party detailed the mass expulsion of five councillors in total. Alongside Mayor Feliti, the disciplinary action affects councillors Kgotso Leshomo, David Modisadife, Lebogang Medupe, and Robert Mosholi.
The expelled councillors were found guilty of gross misconduct in violation of Rule 25 of the ANC Constitution. According to regional chairperson Gaba Thithiba ka Qhele, the members openly defied party directives by aligning with opposition factions to table and pass a motion of no confidence against the council Speaker, Sarah Nkatlo.
Ka Qhele stated that this conduct undermined the ANC, bringing disunity and incoherence to the party’s caucus in the Maquassi Hills Sub-Region. He noted that despite multiple interventions and counselling opportunities provided by leadership up to the Provincial and National Executive Committee levels, the members refused to change their behaviour, making the disciplinary hearings unavoidable.
The Maquassi Hills municipality has struggled with persistent financial management issues and political interference. The local Democratic Alliance (DA) has previously raised concerns regarding non-compliance with the Municipal Structures Act. Furthermore, municipal workers and local groups have frequently protested against poor service delivery.
Addressing concerns about how this political purge will affect the upcoming local elections, Ka Qhele maintained that the ANC will act on misconduct regardless of timing. He reassured residents that the expulsions will not disrupt municipal stability. ANC Maquassi Hills deployee Wesley Kgang reiterated this commitment, emphasizing that the party is taking decisive steps to resolve ongoing water shortages and restore basic services to the community.
Sanctions and Expulsion Terms
The Regional Disciplinary Committee handed down the following sanctions to Mayor Feliti and the four councillors:
- Immediate expulsion from the ANC.
- The expulsion period is set for 24 months from the verdict date.
- Former members may voluntarily rejoin the party upon the expiry of the expulsion.
- Rejoining is conditional upon undergoing mandatory counseling and membership training.
- Barred from participating in ANC structures during the 24-month period.
- Prohibited from serving as a public representative of the ANC for the duration.
- Immediate removal from all current public representative roles on behalf of the ANC.
- Implementation of the expulsion is immediate, meaning any lodged appeals will not stay the execution of the verdict.
Those sanctioned were officially advised of their right to appeal the decision in line with the ANC Constitution.
