The powers that be…

Thabazimbi - On Friday 29 September 2023, a significant twist occurred in the ongoing political saga of Thabazimbi Local Municipality (TLM). The Limpopo High Court ruled in favour of Democratic Alliance (DA) councillor Tokkie Swanepoel, reinstating her as the mayor. This ruling came more than a year after Swanepoel and the multi-party coalition were ousted from office by the African National Congress (ANC) on 21 October 2022. 

The legal wrangling has been intense. ANC councillor Judith Motsei Mogapi, who had been serving as the TLM mayor, and Tshegofatso Ramoabi, the TLM speaker, were removed following the high court’s order. DA councillor Ben Tlhabadira found favour in the court’s eyes, regaining his position as TLM speaker.

Yet, this may not be the final chapter in this political narrative. Information indicates that the ANC has not taken the court’s decision lying down, as it is said that on Monday, 2 October 2023, they lodged an appeal against the ruling. The appeal implies that everything will continue as before the court ruling, awaiting the outcome of the appeal.

This recent court ruling and the subsequent appeal by ANC spotlight the volatile and dynamic nature of Thabazimbi’s political landscape. As each party pulls with all its might in this game of political tug of war, the residents and onlookers are left to wonder: what will be the next dramatic turn in this unending saga? In this uncertainty, one thing is crystal clear, Thabazimbi’s political terrain remains as unpredictable as ever.  

Photo: DA councillor Tokkie Swanepoel