Nkangala – The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has suspended 22 councillors in the Nkangala region for failing to meet the party’s requirements that all public representatives must purchase a bakkie within six months of deployment.
They are among the 49 proportional representative (PR) councillors in Mpumalanga facing dismissal for allegedly violating Section D of the EFF’s code of conduct, which compels councillors to hold a driver’s licence and own a vehicle capable of reaching rural areas and transporting members for organisational work.
“You are charged with gross insubordination, in that you are fully aware that it is required by the employer that every representative has to buy a bakkie within six months of their deployment; however, you have wilfully and deliberately refused to comply with the same,” reads an excerpt of a dismissal letter to one of the councillors signed by provincial secretary Jackson Malatjie on 15 September 2025.
The Thembisile Hani subregion has 12 councillors who failed to provide evidence that they have compiled, Steve Tshwete follows with four, Emalahleni with three, Dr JS Moroka with two and Victor Khanye with one.
Emakhazeni is the only sub-region fully compliant.
Several EFF councillors, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Highveld Chronicle that financial hardship made compliance impossible. “I was laid off from my previous job and ended up blacklisted because I struggled to repay my debts,” said one councillor. “It has been a struggle to buy a bakkie when your name is blacklisted and with a take-home pay of under R20,000 after deductions. I’m the sole provider for my children and three siblings, buying and maintaining a bakkie is simply out of reach”
Another councillor, who supports vulnerable children in the community, said: “I take home R11,000 and spend nearly R2,000 each month on groceries for orphaned kids. I have a driver’s licence and plan to buy a bakkie, but it will take time.”
EFF provincial secretary Jackson Malatjie said four councillors have already had their suspensions lifted after proving compliance. “These steps are about ensuring we enter elections with representatives who respect the organisation’s constitution,” Malatjie said, adding that councillors struggling to purchase vehicles are encouraged to approach the party for assistance, though none have done so to date.
