Mazwi emerges as challenger to Mshuqwana in Matatiele mayoral race

With only days remaining before the inauguration of the new Matatiele Local Municipality Council, internal divisions within the African National Congress (ANC) in the sub region are refusing to die. The growing tensions are raising questions about the party’s ability to unite behind its leadership choices and focus on the municipality’s service delivery challenges.
At the centre of the latest political contest is the race for the mayoral position, which has exposed divisions between two groups within the ANC’s sub regional structures.
One group, aligned with Jula Mnangwe, has previously accused Regional Secretary Polelo Mohale of manipulating the party’s candidate list ahead of the Local Government Elections. The group alleged that candidates nominated by communities were removed and replaced with individuals favoured by Mohale.
The opposing group has dismissed Mnangwe’s claims, accusing him of being self-centred and dishonest while defending the Regional Secretary against the allegations.
The latest development in this internal contest is the emergence of Councillor Khanyisa Mazwi as a potential mayoral candidate. The group aligned with Mnangwe, which has increasingly presented itself as representing the interests of the Matatiele community, reportedly met earlier this week to discuss Mazwi’s possible nomination.
The move appears to challenge Mohale’s reported preference for Nomasomi Mshuqwana, who served as Deputy Executive Mayor of Alfred Nzo District Municipality during the previous council term. Mshuqwana is also an experienced municipal leader, having previously served two terms as Speaker of the Matatiele Local Municipality Council.
Those supporting Mazwi argue that the municipality needs new leadership and fresh ideas, rather than repeatedly relying on individuals who have previously occupied senior political positions.
ANC member Bhuda Mokoatle, who supports Mazwi’s possible nomination, believes that the councillor has demonstrated tangible results in a relatively short period.
He pointed to the handing over of title deeds to residents of Maluti who had waited for years to receive proof of ownership of their properties. He also highlighted road infrastructure improvements and the installation of high-mast lights in Mazwi’s ward, which he said contributed to efforts to combat crime.
Mokoatle further argued that Mazwi understands the community’s traditional and cultural dynamics, particularly issues surrounding initiation schools.
A member of the ANC Regional Executive Committee, who spoke on condition of anonymity, also expressed support for Mazwi’s possible deployment as mayor.
” If Mazwi can be deployed as Mayor of the Municipality, it would represent a generational shift towards younger leadership. Furthermore, he would help safeguard the autonomy and sovereignty of the Matatiele Local Municipality, particularly because he appears to be an independent-minded individual who is not a proxy for any external political interests. This would contribute to protecting the municipality’s resources and ensuring greater stability. It would also guard against interference by a businessman-turned-politician who is alleged to have an interest in micromanaging local municipalities. With Mazwi at the helm, such interference, particularly where it is intended to facilitate the looting of municipal resources, would not be tolerated,” the regional committee member said.
When approached for comment, Mazwi said he was hearing about the proposed nomination for the first time but would not turn down the opportunity if it came through the proper organisational channels.
“I would accept that opportunity if dictated by the proper channels of the organisation,” he said.
Regional Secretary Polelo Mohale, however, dismissed the suggestion that the ANC was divided into factions, maintaining that the organisation remained united.
“The African National Congress does not have groups; there is one ANC. But if they want Mazwi, they can put him,” Mohale said.
Despite Mohale’s position, the competing mayoral preferences and unresolved allegations surrounding the candidate selection process suggest that the ANC in Matatiele faces a difficult period ahead.
With a new council preparing to take office for the next five years, the immediate challenge will be whether the party can put its internal political battles aside and unite behind a leadership capable of addressing the municipality’s pressing service delivery needs.
For residents of Matatiele, the concern is not simply who occupies the mayoral office, but whether the incoming political leadership will prioritise their needs over internal party interests.