Greater Tzaneen Municipality Mayor Gerson Phetole Molapisane, widely regarded as one of South Africa’s most effective and decorated mayors, has been recalled in a move that has sparked outrage and disbelief across Limpopo.
Molapisane was recalled on Tuesday 5 May. This was after the ANC in Limpopo succumbed to pressure from its Norman Mashabane regional leadership and resolved to remove Molapisane from office. Molapisane’s removal has sent shockwaves through communities that had grown accustomed to visible development under his leadership.
Molapisane, known locally as “Khwakhwashimba-Ya-Bolobedu,” had built a reputation for delivering results. Under his tenure, Tzaneen transformed from a quiet town into a hub of ongoing development, with infrastructure projects reaching both urban centres and rural villages.
Central to his success was a decision to prioritise competence over political loyalty. Early in his term, Molapisane recruited Donald Mhangwana from the provincial government to serve as Municipal Manager. Together, they focused on clean governance, improved audits, and efficient service delivery. Their administration earned multiple awards and positioned Greater Tzaneen as one of the better-performing municipalities in the province.
Yet his success appears to have placed him at odds with powerful figures within his own party.
The roots of his removal lie in long-standing factional tensions within the ANC’s Norman Mashabane region. Insiders trace the conflict back to a dispute over the appointment of Mhangwana as a municipal manager, when Molapisane resisted pressure from his political principals to install their preferred candidate. That decision created lasting ruction between him and some of his comrades.
The situation worsened during the ANC’s recent regional elective conference, where Molapisane aligned with a rival slate that lost elections. From that point, according to sources, his political future was uncertain.
This week’s events suggest those tensions have now reached their peak.
Insiders said Molapisane was summoned to a meeting by his bosses on Tuesday.
During that meeting with regional leaders, Molapisane was presented with a resolution calling for his resignation. However, he refused to comply. It is alleged that Molapisane argued that his deployment as mayor was decided by the ANC’s National Executive Committee, not regional structures, and insisted he would only step down if instructed by national leadership.
He then walked out of the meeting.
Despite the unfolding political drama, Molapisane has continued with his official duties, handing over projects and engaging with communities. His actions suggest a leader determined to serve until formally removed.
A special council sitting is expected to take place on Friday to elect a new mayor.
Molapisane’s removal comes at a particularly sensitive time when local government elections are approaching.
Recent defections of prominent members to opposition parties have raised also concerns about its stability.
Norman Mashabane spokesperson Peter Ngobeni refuted the allegations that they fired Molapisane.
He said the decision to remove Molapisane was taken by the provincial executive committee and not the regional executive committee.
He refused to answer further questions posed to him by Africa Daily and referred us to ANC provincial spokesperson Tony Rachoene and Norman Mashabane regional secretary Sonia Ngobeni-Maswanganyi.
Rachoene and Ngobeni-Maswanganyi couldn’t not be reached for comment at the time of publishing as their phones rang unanswered .
