KNYSNA - Political party crossovers by ANC-elected Knysna mayor Thando Matika and Ward 3 councillor Lukhanyiso Nohana have resulted in the ANC leadership taking steps against their continued political representation.
This follows confirmation on the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) candidate lists that Matika and Nohana will contest the upcoming local government elections under the banner of the South African Communist Party (SACP).
ANC regional spokesperson James Sijama said the ANC had noted the IEC candidate lists confirming Matika’s decision to stand under the SACP banner.
“The ANC respects his democratic right to make that political choice,” Sijama said, adding that political choices carried consequences regarding political representation. The ANC has formally written to Knysna Municipality requesting that Matika immediately be removed as an ANC councillor and that the relevant legal and administrative processes be followed to declare the position vacant and notify the IEC. Sijama said it was not about denying Matika his right to join or campaign for another political organisation, but about ensuring that political representation reflects the mandate under which he was elected.
Nohana already removed
Nohana’s position is separate from Matika’s. Sijama confirmed that Nohana has already been removed as a councillor and is contesting his expulsion from the ANC in court.
Meanwhile, DA caucus chairperson Jason White has written to Acting Municipal Manager Boy Ngubo regarding Matika and Ward 7 councillor Mboneli Khumelwana. White said the municipality had been notified by the ANC that both councillors had ceased to be ANC members.
Referring to Section 27 of the Municipal Structures Act, he asked Ngubo to confirm when the notification was received, whether the IEC had been informed and what steps were being taken regarding their continued municipal functions.
White further stated that Matika’s loss of councillor status would mean he also ceased to hold office as executive mayor.
However, while the ANC has confirmed its position regarding Matika and Nohana, it has not confirmed Khumelwana’s expulsion or loss of ANC membership. Matika remains listed as executive mayor on the municipality’s website, while Ward 3 and Ward 8 are reflected as vacant.
New mayor to be elected
The municipality has since confirmed that it received formal notification from the ANC regarding Matika and Khumelwana on Friday 18 September.
Ngubo said a statutory process applies that requires the municipal manager to notify the IEC within 14 days of a relevant vacancy or change in councillor status.
The municipality confirmed that Matika has ceased to be executive mayor and that the mayoral committee has been dissolved.
Deputy Mayor Morton Gericke will act as mayor until Council elects a new executive mayor. A special council meeting is scheduled for tomorrow, Wednesday 23 September.
The municipality said Council has 21 seats, with eight DA, three ANC, two KIM, two PA, one PBI and one EFF, as well as four vacancies. Official records will be updated once vacancies have been formally declared. The municipality said changes in political representation and voting arrangements were matters for the respective political parties, while service delivery would remain a priority.
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