SEDIBENG.– The plot has thickened!

 Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) Mayor Sipho Radebe has removed Mbuyiselo Kantso, as his Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Agriculture, Local Economic Development Planning and Tourism in the municipality.

This was with effect from yesterday, April 8.

He will remain in Council as an ordinary ELM Councillor

Kantso, who is a member of the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC) will remain in the ELM Council as an ordinary member of the Council as elected by the party’s constituents.

Yesterday, Sedibeng Ster wrote that the African National Congress (ANC) in Sedibeng is currently engaging in talks with the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) to replace the Pan Africanist Congress (EFF) as its coalition partner in Sedibeng District Municipality (SDM) and Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM).

Kantso, it seems, is the first casualty in this PAC,ANC,EFF dilemma.

The PAC tabled a MoNC against SDM Mayor

The ANC said that they are ending the coalition partnership with the PAC because of their recent contestation/s of positions in the ELM and the SDM.

Together with other smaller political parties, the PAC is (was) in coalition with the ANC in both the SDM and the ELM.

The PAC also tabled a Motion of No Confidence (MoNC) against Lerato Maloka, SDM Mayor. The party had apparently planned to table another MoNC against ELM Mayor, Sipho Radebe soon.

The letter is in possession of Sedibeng Ster

In the letter written to Kantso by Radebe, in possession of Sedibeng Ster, Radebe said, “Further to the constructive and cordial meeting we held this morning, I write to formally confirm your removal from the Mayoral Committee of Emfuleni Local Municipality, effectively from today, 8 April 2026. As we discussed, and which you graciously accepted, this decision was not taken lightly. I want to sincerely thank you the way you received the news with the dignity, principle, and political maturity that has always characterized your leadership.”

“I wish you well…”

Radebe further said, “Your invaluable contributions to the work of our municipality, particularly your principled voice and commitment to the people of Emfuleni, have left a lasting mark. Even where we did not always agree, your input sharpened our collective thinking and always put the interests of our communities first. Please be assured that this change does not diminish the respect I hold for you as a colleague and as a leader of the Pan African Congress. I look forward to our continued cooperation in the Council and other political platforms where the shared goal of serving Emfuleni remains paramount. I wish you well in your continued role as a councillor and thank you once again for your service in the Mayoral Committee.”

ELM spokesperson, Makhosonke Sangweni, referred Sedibeng Ster to ELM, Mayoral Spokesperson, Mphikeleli Msibi who had not responded on the matter at the time of going to print.

PAC’s Apa Pooe promised to comment later on the dismissal.

On the other hand, ANC Sedibeng Secretary, Jason Mkhwane said that the ANC is no longer in coalition with PAC in Sedibeng, “MMC Kantso has been recalled following the termination of their coalition with the ANC. Their appointment to the position was based on the co-governing agreement, which is no longer in effect.”