An urgent investigation has been demanded into the City of Matlosana’s Ward 35 committee following serious allegations of political favouritism, conflict of interest, and the partisan manipulation of informal settlement housing allocations.
According to a recently issued media statement on Thursday, 22 October 2026, two prominent ward committee members, Phanyane Diau and Fish Olifant, are facing intense scrutiny for their alleged involvement with a private company tasked with placing residents into a local informal settlement while openly wearing African National Congress (ANC) regalia.
“We wish to express our serious concern regarding allegations involving Ward Committee members, Mr Phanyane Diau and Mr Fish Olifant, in Ward 35, City of Matlosana.
“It is alleged that the two Ward Committee members have been assisting a company involved in placing people in an informal settlement in Ward 35 while wearing African National Congress (ANC) regalia. Further concerns have been raised that community members are being led to believe that the ANC Ward Councillor Candidate, Mr Thembinkosi Olifant, is responsible for providing them with houses,” said the EFF in Matlosana.
The media statement raises deep concerns that these partisan displays are being used to deliberately mislead community members into believing that the ANC Ward Councillor Candidate, Thembinkosi Olifant, is personally responsible for providing them with housing. The situation is further complicated by familial ties, as Mr Fish Olifant is reportedly the brother of the council candidate.
While the statement notes that this relationship does not inherently establish wrongdoing, it stresses that the connection demands heightened transparency, strict impartiality, and a robust management of potential conflicts of interest within the community.
The controversy intensified during a recent community engagement where questions were raised regarding the company’s collaboration with ANC-affiliated individuals. According to the statement, Thembinkosi Olifant was present at the meeting and allegedly defended the committee members, asserting that no one could prevent them from wearing ANC T-shirts.
This response has triggered widespread worry that the impartial performance of municipal duties has been severely compromised, threatening to undermine public confidence in the integrity of local housing placement processes.
Underlining the legislative framework governing local governance, the call for an investigation highlights that ward committees are legally mandated to strengthen participatory democracy and serve the entire community, rather than narrow political interests.
In terms of the Local Government: Municipal Structures Act 117 of 1998, these committees must exercise their responsibilities in strict accordance with municipal rules and a formal Code of Conduct. Accountability advocates argue that the alleged conduct actively creates an impression of political favouritism, violating the core constitutional principles of fair and unbiased public service delivery.
The ANC in Ward 35 has yet to respond to serious allegations levelled against it by EFF mayoral candidate Papiki Babuile.
City Report reached out to local ANC leadership for clarification and a right of reply prior to publication. However, no comment or formal statement has been received at the time of going to press.
The silence from the ruling party follows a series of public declarations by Babuile, who has publicly challenged the ANC’s governance and conduct within the ward.
City Report remains committed to journalistic objectivity and will update the public as soon as the ANC provides its official position on the matter.
