Ramathuba tells ANC councillors to take charge of municipalities
LIMPOPO — ANC Limpopo Chairperson Dr Phophi Ramathuba has called on ward councillors to take greater political responsibility for their communities and ensure that municipal officials do not effectively take over the running of municipalities.
Ramathuba was addressing thousands of ANC members during the party’s sub-regional manifesto programme at Ramatlaohle Sports Complex in Tshamahansi village under the Mogalakwena Local Municipality in Waterberg.
The ANC Limpopo Provincial Executive Committee has embarked on a sub-regional manifesto programme across the province’s five regional structures ahead of the upcoming local government elections.
Ramathuba told councillors that municipal officials are appointed to implement decisions taken by elected political leadership and should therefore be held accountable for their responsibilities.
She cautioned councillors against allowing officials to exercise political authority that belongs to elected representatives.
According to Ramathuba, councillors must remain connected to communities and understand the challenges affecting residents instead of leaving communities to engage directly with municipal officials.
She said failures in service delivery at local government level were increasingly being associated with the ANC, despite councillors having political oversight responsibilities over municipal administrations.
Ramathuba’s remarks come as the ANC prepares its structures for the local government elections, with the party seeking to mobilise its support base and address concerns around municipal performance.
The 2021 local government elections provide the ANC’s previous electoral baseline in Limpopo.
The party retained control of all five district municipalities — Capricorn, Mopani, Sekhukhune, Vhembe and Waterberg — although its level of support varied between local municipalities. The 2026 Local government elections campaign seems to be more focused in Vhembe and Mopani districts. Will the ANC enter into a coalition governance after November Local Government Elections?
