Madibeng mayor wins court reprieve after ANC recall bid blocked

High court grants interdict against Luthuli House

Maimane challenged the ANC’s instruction that he resign as both a councillor and mayor. The high court granted an interdict, allowing him to remain in office for now while the legal challenge proceeds.

Recall triggered by leaked recording and long‑standing allegations

The party’s move to recall him followed a widely circulated leaked recording in which Maimane was captured in conversation with opposition members, reportedly urging them to campaign and vote against the ANC. In the clip, he is heard saying,

“he no longer cared because his term was nearing its end.”

Luthuli House had also long sought his removal over allegations of corruption, nepotism and interference in staff appointments.

No‑confidence meeting collapses after walkout

Maimane separately sought to stop a council meeting that was expected to debate a motion of no‑confidence. In a letter from his lawyers he demanded that speaker Ditshego Mbedzi and 10 ANC councillors opposed to him recuse themselves from the meeting, citing what he described as documented conflicts of interest and alleging that any resolution passed would be legally reviewable and void.

The meeting ultimately collapsed after some councillors walked out.

Grounds for recusal

Among the reasons given for seeking Mbedzi’s recusal was that she is on the ANC’s shortlist to replace Maimane. His lawyers also cited the code of conduct for councillors under the Municipal Structures Act in arguing that participation by those councillors would constitute a direct violation.

What happens next

With the court interdict in place, Maimane remains in office while legal and internal party processes continue. The dispute highlights a contested leadership battle in the Brits‑based municipality and ongoing tension between the mayor and his party structures.