13 October 2026

The South African Communist Party (SACP) in Limpopo Province convened its Special Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) meeting 8 October 2026 to assess the Party’s provincial work, socio-economic conditions, municipal governance, and preparations for the 2026 Local Government Elections (LGE). The PEC reaffirmed its commitment to defending working-class interests, building people’s power and advancing accountable, people-centred local government. It also commended the Red Brigades for mobilising communities around the Party’s electoral programme.

RIGHT TO WORK, WATER, ELECTRICITY, LAND AND SAFETY FOR ALL

The PEC expressed concern over persistent water shortages, electricity challenges, sewage spillages, unemployment, unsafe, roads and inadequate municipal services across Limpopo. These conditions demand improved planning, accountability, and the prioritisation of community needs. The SACP maintains that access to water, electricity, sanitation, safe roads and public safety is essential to a dignified life and rights that must be safeguarded. We call on municipalities to account for their performance and expenditure and urge communities to organise, participate in municipal processes and hold elected representatives and officials accountable.

MUNICIPALITIES FREE FROM TENDER CORRUPTION AND CAPTURE

The PEC noted recent arrests and investigations involving corruption, fraud and procurement irregularities in Mogalakwena, Blouberg, Molemole and Elias Motsoaledi municipalities. In Mogalakwena, Municipal Manager Morris Maluleka appeared before the Mokopane Magistrate’s Court on 9 October 2026 over allegations involving approximately R24 million in payments against a contract reportedly valued at R4 million. The matter was postponed to 16 October 2026. In Blouberg, the municipal manager and two security company directors were arrested over an alleged fraudulent tender involving payments exceeding R11 million. In Molemole, several officials were arrested in investigations involving R38 million. In Elias Motsoaledi, a former municipal legal manager was arrested over alleged procurement fraud involving a software service provider, with potential financial loss of approximately R686,000.

The SACP maintains that accountability must go beyond arrests and convictions. Justice must also mean recovering public funds lost through corruption and irregular procurement, ensuring that such monies are returned to the public purse and redirected towards improving the lives of affected communities. Those responsible must face the consequences of their actions, while institutions must take effective steps to recover stolen funds. Public resources belong to the people and must be restored to their rightful purpose: delivering water, electricity, sanitation, roads and other essential services.

Justice is not complete until accountability is enforced, public funds are recovered and communities begin to benefit from the resources stolen from them.

SACP led councils will build towards municipalities that put people before profit, defend public resources, fight corruption, improve service delivery and create conditions for the social and economic advancement of our people.

FETAKGOMO-TUBATSE: PROPOSED R300 MILLION LOAN

The SACP Manifesto outlines the imperative for municipalities free of corruption and capture as one of the six key priorities.

In this regard, the PEC expressed serious concern over Fetakgomo Tubatse Local Municipality Council resolution to approach financial institutions for a R300 million loan, a move that will ultimately result in the municipality repaying no less than R470m over the loan period. This is clearly unaffordable for a struggling municipality and will negatively affect budget for service delivery.

For a municipality littered with a history of financial scandals and lack of accountability, this clearly smacks of self-interests if not blatant corruption. Lest we forget that this very municipality unlawfully invested and lost R243 millions of public funds into the collapsed VBS Mutual Bank.

Accordingly, the SACP will be writing a formal letter of objection calling for withdrawal of the Council resolution before the deadline of 20 October 2026, whilst also mobilizing communities to reject this fraudulent scheme in its entirety. Residents are urged to submit formal objections through the appropriate municipal processes. Public borrowing must not undermine essential services or unfairly burden communities. Municipal resources must serve the people rather than neoliberal approaches that subordinate social needs to financial arrangements.

FETAKGOMO-TUBATSE WARD 35: JUSTICE AND ACCOUNTABILITY

The PEC expresses concern over the illegal transfer through the IEC system of the SACP Ward 35 councillor candidate’s voter registration from Fetakgomo-Tubatse to Gauteng, undermining the democratic rights of Ward 35 residents. The SACP calls for a thorough investigation and demands that everyone implicated account for their actions.

The political party to which the suspect belongs must also be held accountable and explain its role, if any. No political organisation should shield individuals implicated in conduct that undermines democratic processes. The Party demands justice for the affected candidate and community, and appropriate action against anyone found to have violated electoral laws or procedures.

SACP MAYORAL CANDIDATES

As part of its preparations for the 2026 Local Government Elections and its commitment to advancing working-class representation in municipal councils, the PEC has appointed the following comrades as campaign leaders in selected Municipalities:

Capricorn District
- Polokwane: Cde Dr Chuene Malebana
- Lepelle-Nkumpi: Cde Machike Thobejane
- Blouberg: Cde Dipou Daniel Mosena
- District: Cde Lawrence Shilabje
- Molemole: Cde Kanono Kganyago
Waterberg District
- Mogalakwena: Cde Malesela David Makhafola
- District: Cde Semole Rosina Masipa
- Thabazimbi: Cde Tumisang Jacob Pilane
- Bela-Bela: Cde Butana Mabunda
- Lephalale: Cde Rabohloko Aaron Mokgehle
- Modimolle-Mookgophong: Cde Sebata Mmaphuthi Daphney
Vhembe District
- Thulamela: Cde Skinjar Ramugumo
- District: Cde Merriam Ramadwa
- Musina: Cde Taxy Nare
- Makhado: Cde Azwindini Mashabela
- Collins Chabane: Cde Andrew Kotani
Mopani District
- District: Cde McDonald Sibuyi
- Greater Tzaneen: Cde Nelson Ramokgolo
- Maruleng: Cde David Sekgobela
- Giyani: Cde Beauty Shiviti
- Greater Letaba: Cde Molate Mokgwaripa
- Ba-Phalaborwa: Cde Ishmail Mphenyane

Campaign leaders for Municipalities in Sekhukhune District will be announced in due course.

BUILDING PEOPLE’S POWER WHERE WE LIVE

The PEC reaffirmed that communities must actively shape development priorities, scrutinise expenditure, monitor services and hold elected representatives accountable beyond election campaigns. Through political education, mobilisation, community engagement and the 2026 LGE campaign, the SACP will advance public ownership, democratic accountability, accessible basic services and working-class representation in council. Our struggle goes beyond electoral positions: it is about empowering workingclass communities to shape their futures and advancing a developmental path that puts people before profit. The struggle for better local government is inseparable from the struggle to build socialism.

BUILD PEOPLE’S POWER WHERE WE LIVE, FOR THE RIGHT TO WORK, WATER, ELECTRICITY, ROADS AND SAFETY FOR ALL.

Issued by: SACP LIMPOPO PROVINCIAL COMMUNICATIONS

Enquiries:
Charles Nkadimeng
0744628633

Rebecca Selomo
0606628489

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FOUNDED IN 1921 AS THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF SOUTH AFRICA.

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