DA Challenges ‘Unlawful’ Suspension of Cradock’s Inxuba Yethemba Municipal Manager

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Inxuba Yethemba Local Municipality is requesting that council rescinds the unlawful precautionary suspension of the Municipal Manager Mkhululi Mbebe.

According to the DA speaker’s decision to suspended the Mbebe made during a virtual Special Council meeting on December 10, 2025, was unlawful and is a violation of the Municipal Structures Act.

The speaker Thembakazi Mbotya ignored procedure

DA Inxuba Yethemba Caucus Leader Monde Desha claims that the speaker Thembakazi Mbotya ignored procedure under the Rules of Order and disregarded objections from the DA caucus.

“The suspension was announced despite calls for a division and objections from the majority of councillors present.”

Desha argues that the municipality will likely lose in court due to the unlawfulness of the suspension, resulting in unauthorised, irregular, fruitless, and wasteful expenditure.

Unauthorised expenditure resulting from her decision

“Mbotya is liable for any unauthorised expenditure resulting from her decision, according to the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA),” he said.

He said they have requested the Mbotya to provide documents, recordings, and minutes of meetings, and to confirm that no action will be taken against the Municipal Manager until the matter is regularised.

“We demanded that council rescinds the suspension and initiates a lawful process,” Desha said.

People of Inxuba Yethemba deserve better

He said they will not allow residents to pay for Mbotya’s disregard of the law and factionalism.

“The people of Inxuba Yethemba deserve better, they deserve a government that will place the well-being of residents first,” said Desha.

According to a source within the ANC, the actions are taken after Inxuba Yethemba Municipality mayor Noncedo Zonke snubbed the ANC Chris Hani region when it wanted to interfere with issues in the municipality.

“The unlawful decision was taken by ANC councillors as it was an instruction of the regional leadership of the ANC. This is after numerous attempts by the ANC leadership to remove Zonke as the mayor,” he said.

He said these are the first steps to remove Zonke.

“In Enoch Mgijima Municipality, the target is the chief whip Nombiyiselo Ndlebe and Zukiswa Ralane,” he said.

The battle lines have been drawn

He said the battle lines have been drawn, all those who did not support the regional leadership will be removed.

“The ANC will do anything to be in control of the municipality’s finances,” he said.

Attempts to get comment from ANC regional secretary Andile Mini were not successful.