The Madibeng Local Municipality in the North West has been issued an urgent legal ultimatum following allegations that it reinstated an official in direct defiance of a Pretoria High Court ruling.

A formal letter of demand, dated October 7, 2026, was served via sheriff to the Acting Municipal Manager, W Phala, by Malatji Attorneys Inc.

The law firm is acting on behalf of the Estate Late Johannes Magoro.

According to the legal notice, the Pretoria High Court reviewed and set aside the appointment of Palesa Malese as the Assistant Director of Management Information Systems (MISS) on August 28, 2026.

However, the firm claims to have obtained information indicating that the municipality has bypassed the court order and reinstated Ms. Malese to the position.

The letter characterizes this alleged reinstatement as a “clear contravention of a court order.”

The attorneys have issued a strict 24-hour ultimatum to the Acting Municipal Manager demanding the following actions: Written Confirmation where the municipality must provide immediate verification regarding whether or not Ms. Malese has been reinstated, Immediate Withdrawal if she has been reinstated, the municipality must immediately withdraw the appointment and furnish proof of the withdrawal to the law firm and Internal Notice states the municipality must publish a notice of the withdrawal to the Madibeng Local Municipality staff within the same 24-hour window.

The correspondence warns that if the allegations of reinstatement prove true, the municipality will be considered in contempt of court.

Malatji Attorneys Inc. stated they hold firm instructions to pursue an urgent application for contempt of court and seek the committal to detention of the responsible officials, specifically naming Gabanakgosi N.O. and Malese, should the municipality fail to comply with the demands.

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