By Staffe Reporter
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has welcomed the arrest of ANC councillor Tobius Malope, recently elected to the Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality Council.
Malope, a councillor in the Sekhukhune region, was arrested on Thursday in Roossenekal, near Burgersfort, Limpopo, along with eight others on allegations of extortion.
Known in ANC circles as aggressive, articulate, and fearless, Malope allegedly led a group to a mining construction site on the R555, demanding an undisclosed sum from the project’s contractor.
“The extortion allegations against Malope are serious. We expect his immediate suspension. Unfortunately, such claims are not new for ANC councillors in Limpopo, a province plagued by corruption, deterring investment and job creation,” said Nico Pienaar, DA Constituency Head for Sekhukhune.
Pienaar criticised the ANC for hailing councillors like Malope as “among the best to represent the best,” saying they often prioritise personal enrichment over addressing residents’ needs.
He also pointed out the ongoing service delivery challenges in the Elias Motsoaledi Municipality, with many communities lacking basic services like water and job opportunities.
“The DA continues to fight construction mafias and corruption at all levels. We urge the public to report extortion and intimidation to the police,” said Pienaar.
“As we approach the 2026 local government elections, we are confident that residents in Elias Motsoaledi will reject the ANC, just as South Africans did in the recent national elections.”
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