🇿🇦South AfricaSouthern Africa
ANC recalls Madibeng Mayor Douglas Maimane after previous reprieve
via The Citizen2 min read
The African National Congress ANC has recalled Douglas Seleke Maimane as executive mayor and PR Councillor of the Madibeng Local Municipality. This decision, made by the ANC North West provincial executive committee, has the approval of the secretary-general's office. ANC national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu stated that the party's caucus in Madibeng will implement the recall through lawful Council processes. Bhengu emphasized that the ANC deploys its members to serve the people and will act when that mandate is not advanced, adding that no individual ambition will supersede the needs of the people. She also noted that the discipline of all ANC councillors and public representatives is being closely monitored. This recall follows a temporary reprieve Maimane received last month when he successfully interdicted Luthuli House from removing him. Maimane had challenged the ANC's previous decision to recall him, which was prompted by allegations that he conspired with opposition parties to unseat the ANC in the Brits-based municipality. A leaked recording, circulated on social media, reportedly captured Maimane urging opposition members to campaign and vote against the ANC, stating he no longer cared as his term was ending. These remarks reportedly angered Luthuli House, which had sought his removal over allegations of corruption, nepotism, and interference in staff appointments. Maimane had previously refused to step down, arguing in court that the secretary-general, Fikile Mbal
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Four men, Ismair Nsubugu, George Lubuluma, Geofrey Bukenya, and Nicolas Bolodangaine, aged between 26 and 34, were arrested in Gauteng on May 29, 2026, by the Gauteng Provincial Commercial Crime Investigation Unit. They are accused of operating a romance scam that involved fake ancestral rituals. The suspects allegedly convinced a South African woman that her money could be multiplied through rituals performed by a purported Ugandan priest. The complainant became suspicious and alerted the police, leading to an operation where one suspect was initially arrested while accompanying her to secure loans. This suspect then led police to a property in Winchester Hills, where the other three suspects were apprehended. During the operation, police discovered a makeshift altar and an underground cave, which were allegedly used to deceive victims into believing ancestors were communicating with them. The suspects appeared before the Booysens Magistrates’ Court on June 1, 2026, and remain in custody. Their case was postponed to June 8, 2026, for further investigation. Police are also investigating potential links to other similar scam cases and urge anyone with information or who may have been a victim to contact Colonel Naidoo or the Crime Stop Line.
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