Gerson Phetole Molapisane, a man widely considered to be one of the best performing and most decorated mayors in the country.
In the world of politics, there is an old saying: “no good deed goes unpunished.” For the people of the Greater Tzaneen Municipality, this saying has become a bitter reality. On Tuesday morning, the ANC in Limpopo finally gave in to the demands of its Norman Mashabane regional structure. They have decided to recall Gerson Phetole Molapisane, a man widely considered to be one of the best performing and most decorated mayors in the country.
The news has sent shockwaves through the province. To many residents, it feels like the ANC is punishing success. Under the leadership of the man they call “Khwakhwashimba-Ya-Bolobedu,” Tzaneen has been transformed. It is no longer just a quiet town in the north; it has become a massive construction site where infrastructure is maintained and new projects are born every day.
A Legacy Built on Merit
Molapisane’s success did not happen by accident. It started with a bold move to put professional management ahead of political favors. When he took office, he head hunted Donald Mhangwana from the provincial government to serve as Municipal Manager. Together, they built a winning team that focused on clean audits and visible service delivery.
Under this leadership, Greater Tzaneen became a haven for investors. Whether in the urban centers or the deep rural villages, life was improving. The municipality won multiple awards for its performance, and Molapisane himself rose to become a Provincial Deputy Chairperson of the South African Local Government Association (SALGA). By all measurable standards, he was the “golden boy” of local government.
The Grudge That Never Died
If he was so successful, why is he being removed? The answer lies in the dark corners of factional politics. The move to oust him has been brewing for a long time. It dates back to a period when Molapisane was the ANC Norman Mashabane Deputy Chairperson.
At the time, regional leaders wanted to impose Aleck Nkuna as the Municipal Manager. Molapisane stood his ground and refused. Today, that same Aleck Nkuna has left the ANC to become a National Organiser for the MK Party.
The tension grew even worse during the last regional elective conference. Molapisane chose to run for a leadership position on a rival slate. He lost that battle to the current leadership, led by Dagma Mamanyoha and Sonia Ngobeni. From that moment on, word on the street was that he was in the crosshairs. The new regional leaders were simply waiting for the right moment to pull the trigger.
A Defiant Stand
The regional leadership tried to force his hand on Tuesday. They summoned him to the office and presented him with a resolution for his removal. They expected him to bow his head and write a resignation letter on the spot. But Molapisane is not a man who breaks easily.
According to those close to the meeting, he looked his accusers in the eye and asked if they were done talking. He then reminded them that he was deployed to the mayor’s office by the National Executive Committee (NEC) in Johannesburg, not the regional office in Mopani. He made it clear that he will only resign if the national leadership asks him to. He then walked out of the room, leaving the regional bosses in a state of fury.
Even as the drama unfolds, Molapisane has not stopped working. Today, he is out in the communities, handing over projects to beneficiaries. He appears unperturbed by the political vultures circling his office. He seems determined to serve the people until the very last second of his tenure.
A Self Inflicted Wound
The timing of this removal could not be worse for the ANC. South Africans are heading to the polls on November 4 for the local government elections. The party is already bleeding members. Just recently, former Mayor Maripe “Mmirwaa” Mangena and youth leader Dr. Mikia Ramothwala resigned to join ActionSA. More are expected to follow.
By removing a popular and successful mayor, the ANC is essentially shooting itself in the foot. There is already talk of a mass exodus of members and a potential election boycott by residents who are loyal to Molapisane. People are asking a simple question: if the ANC fires its best performers to settle political scores, why should we vote for them?
The Final Showdown
The stage is now set for a dramatic Friday. A special Council Sitting has been scheduled to elect a new mayor for the remainder of the term. The regional leadership has already made a PR councilor resign to create a vacancy for their chosen successor. Names like Masilo ‘King Solomon’ Maloko, Odas Ngobeni, and Remy Mabuza are being discussed as potential replacements.
However, the question remains: will the people of Tzaneen accept a “political appointee” over a proven leader? As the sun sets on Molapisane’s current term, the ANC in Norman Mashabane is entering a period of deep turmoil. They may have won the battle to remove a rival, but they may have just lost the war for the hearts and minds of the voters.