Recalled Limpopo mayor resigns

One of four Limpopo mayors recalled from office by the ANC has resigned from his position as a councillor, he said.

"I therefore take this instant to tender my resignation with immediate effect as a councillor... and also as the NEC member of the South African Local Government Association to give way for any cadre that might continue the legacy of development," former Mopani district mayor Leswafo Joshua Matlou said in a statement.

Motlau said the organisation had stalled in filling the executive mayor vacancy.

"....Perhaps an issue being that the seats are all occupied, thus the organisation requires selflessness of us -- its deployees -- to create vacancy, so as to allow the fulfilment of service provision," he said.

Matlou was recalled in June, along with Lawrence Mapoulo of the Capricorn district municipality, Wendy Matemane of Elias Motsoaledi municipality, and Nkosi Mahlake of the Greater Tubatse local municipality.

At the time, the party's provincial secretary Nocks Seabi said this step was taken in order to strengthen performance in the municipalities.

Seabi said the decision had nothing to do with their reportedly being aligned to Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema and former Limpopo premier Cassel Mathale.

"Whether they are friends or not is not an issue to us. For us strengthening performance is the priority," he said at the time.

According to a report last month, the mayors were removed for allegedly helping Malema's EFF. No interim mayors were appointed.

Matlou said he would remain a loyal and disciplined member of the African National Congress.

"I shall await the ANC to guide me throughout, and wish to assure the organisation of my availability to keep our visions glowing," he said.