Middelburg — The Steve Tshwete Mayor Mhlonishwa Masilela appointed an ANC ward councillor on 12 February 2026 in a Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) position allocated to the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) under a coalition agreement. However, this appointment was reversed a day later following objections from EFF.
The position of Community Safety became available after EFF chief whip Joseph Ngubeni was elected Speaker on 10 February 2026.
Masilela appointed Ernest Nkwana as MMC for Community Safety. He is an ANC councillor and was reshuffled from being MMC for Spatial Development and Human Settlements.
Steve Tshwete is one of several municipalities in the province governed by coalition agreements between the ANC and EFF. Similar power-sharing agreements that resulted in coalition governments are in place in Govan Mbeki and Lekwa municipalities. According to the agreement, the EFF in the Steve Tshwete is entitled to positions of Speaker and one MMC, followed by a Section 79 committee chairperson.
“The mayor cannot appoint their own in a position that is ours,” said EFF provincial leader Collen Sedibe. “We maintain that the position belongs to us, which is why the matter was put on hold until we finalise our candidate from the EFF,” he said. “The position truly belongs to us.”
In defending Masilela’s decision, the ANC in Nkangala said the mayor was preparing to attend the Strategic Lekgotla meeting taking place from 18 to 20 February in Kempton Park, Gauteng.
“The mayor believed that as the municipality was preparing for the Strategic Lekgotla, it was vital for both the executive manager and the MMC responsible for the department to be present. We understand his concerns, but we feel they lack merit, particularly given that we're in a coalition agreement with other political groups,” said regional secretary Sello Matshoga.
