New Speaker and Mayor, Daniel Mampeule and Andries Tshukudu.
The Thabazimbi Local Municipality has undergone a dramatic leadership change following a high-stakes Special Council Meeting held on 17 March 2026. The session resulted in the removal of both the Speaker and the Mayor through motions of no confidence.
The meeting was marked by a clear split within the African National Congress (ANC). While the proceedings were approved by all other parties, six ANC councillors chose to stay away from the sitting. This group of absentees included the former Mayor and Speaker.
In contrast, four ANC councillors did attend the session, signaling a significant rift in the local party ranks. This internal division played a crucial role in the outcome of the day.
Despite the absences, the council moved quickly to fill the vacancies. Daniel Mampeule, representing the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union (AMCU) and the Labour Party, was elected as the new Speaker. Following this, Andries Tshukudu of the ANC was elected as the new Mayor of Thabazimbi.
The new leadership immediately tackled urgent municipal business: Council considered and officially approved the Adjusted Budget for 2025/26; The appointment of a Municipal Electoral Officer was discussed but was ultimately referred back for further review and the meeting adjourned at 14:10 after these critical resolutions were reached.
Questions now hang over the future of the former Mayor and Speaker. It is alleged that both individuals still enjoy the support of the ANC in the Waterberg region. Their next steps could determine whether the municipality enters a period of stability or continues to face political friction.
The shift in power comes at a sensitive time for Thabazimbi. The provincial Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (CoGHSTA) has been closely monitoring the area. This follows previous actions where the provincial government dissolved the municipality, leading to full-scale by-elections.
Observers are now waiting to see how the provincial government will react to these latest developments. The new council has already scheduled another special sitting for next week. That meeting will focus on reviewing all resolutions made under the previous leadership and formally setting up the new Executive Committee.
For now, the municipality begins a new chapter under the leadership of Speaker Mampeule and Mayor Tshukudu, though the political climate remains tense and the path forward is far from certain.
Thabazimbi Local Municipality council with the new Speaker and Mayor, Daniel Mampeule and Andries Tshukudu.