Thapelo Molepo, dropped ActionSA mayoral candidate for Polokwane
ActionSA has dramatically dropped its mayoral candidate for Polokwane, Thapelo Molepo, just three months after unveiling him as the face of its election campaign in Limpopo’s capital city.
The swift move was officially communicated on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, when the party released a formal media statement signed by Limpopo Provincial Chairperson Victor Mothemela.
The party framed the decision as a “strategic realignment” aimed at strengthening its internal focus and positioning itself for maximum electoral performance in the upcoming Local Government Elections.
Behind the scenes, however, the removal unfolded with startling speed and directness. Internal party communications reveal that Molepo was informed of his dismissal via a WhatsApp message sent directly by Mothemela. The text message indicated that the party’s leadership committee had unanimously agreed to withdraw his candidacy with immediate effect. Before the official press release was even published, Molepo was removed from the party’s official executive group chat.
A Rapid Rise and Sudden Fall
Molepo’s political journey in Polokwane was both fast and turbulent. A former member of the African National Congress (ANC), he made headlines across the province as a whistle blower. He publicly exposed an alleged R700 million tender corruption scandal inside the Polokwane Municipality in 2025.
His public fallout with current Polokwane Executive Mayor John Mpe, who hails from the exact same ward and village as Molepo, eventually led to his suspension and resignation from the ruling party. Shortly after leaving the ANC, ActionSA welcomed him into its ranks.
When ActionSA President Herman Mashaba launched the party’s Limpopo election campaign in May 2026, Molepo was introduced as the party’s youngest mayoral candidate. Mashaba touted him as a bold leader who could help restore ethical governance, accountability, and proper service delivery to Polokwane.
During his brief tenure as mayoral candidate, Molepo organized several service delivery protests and actively rallied support across townships and rural communities. Despite building notable public visibility, ActionSA’s leadership decided to pull the plug on his campaign, leaving supporters and political analysts questioning the underlying reasons.
Party Claims Strategic Realignment
In its official public statement, ActionSA praised Molepo for his hard work, dedication, and active community engagement. The party stated that the decision was taken following extensive internal deliberations and was reached in consultation with Molepo himself.
According to ActionSA Limpopo, the change is part of a broader plan to maximize the party’s impact in key municipalities. ActionSA stressed that Polokwane is a high-stakes, highly contested capital city. The party emphasized that collective discipline, teamwork, and overall organizational strategy must come before individual political ambitions.
However, ActionSA has not yet named a replacement candidate for the Polokwane mayoralty. The party has also not clarified whether Molepo will remain a member of the organization or accept another internal role.
Are Other Mayors Like Mikia Ramothwala and Maripe Mangena Safe?
The sudden axe falling on Molepo has raised obvious questions about the security of other recently announced ActionSA mayoral candidates across Limpopo.
Just last month, in July 2026, ActionSA unveiled a line up of prominent figures for several key municipalities in the province. Among them are Dr. Mikia Ramothwala, a respected former senior clinical manager at Letaba Hospital who was nominated as the candidate for Greater Tzaneen Municipality. Another major candidate is Maripe Mangena, the former mayor of Tzaneen who was announced as the mayoral candidate for the Mopani District Municipality.
For now, candidates like Ramothwala and Mangena appear safe in their positions. Their backgrounds differ significantly from Molepo’s activist and whistleblower history. Ramothwala brings decades of medical leadership and administrative experience, while Mangena possesses extensive experience in local government and regional politics.
Nevertheless, Molepo’s swift removal sends a sharp warning across ActionSA’s provincial ranks. The message is clear: no candidate is completely untouchable if the party leadership feels an organizational shift is necessary. ActionSA is showing that it will prioritize party discipline and broader campaign goals over individual profile building.
The Road Ahead for ActionSA in Limpopo
As the local government elections draw closer, ActionSA faces the challenge of maintaining internal unity while trying to challenge established rivals like the ANC and EFF.
By removing its most visible candidate in Polokwane without immediately presenting a successor, ActionSA has taken a notable political gamble. The coming weeks will show whether this strategic change helps the party build a stronger presence or creates hesitation among voters in Limpopo’s capital city.