The designated new mayor is Tsheko Musolwa. On Tuesday, February 1, the ANC in Limpopo received the national executive committee (NEC) report on outstanding disputes relating to the selection of mayoral candidates in the province.

According to the ANC spokesperson for the Norman Mashabane region, Peter Ngobeni, the provincial executive committee (PEC), removed disputed mayoral positions from their chairs. “Among these mayors was the mayor of MLM, Dipuo Thobetjane, who was nominated as an entering mayor. The NEC interviewed candidates prior to the inauguration.

Also read: New Greater Tzaneen Municipality Council sworn in

They were not satisfied with the candidates, but since the inauguration day was nearing fast, they had no choice but to bring back Dipuo Thobetjane as entering mayor for MLM.”

“There was a rerun for the mayoral position whereby possible candidates were interviewed and today (Monday) there was a regional sitting where feedback on the interviews was given and to learn who will be replacing the mayor,” said Ngobeni. The ANC Norman Mashabane region released a statement welcoming the final decision by the NEC on mayoral candidates.

“The regional executive committee has been very consistent in saying that the NEC is an apex body in terms of decisionmaking,” the statement read. On Monday, at the time of going to print, the Herald contacted Musolwa for comment on his new appointment. He declined to comment.