MIDDELBURG — Middelburg and Hendrina Residents Front (MHRF) councillor Cindy Mashabela is considering contempt of court proceedings against the party, alleging that it has failed to reinstate her despite a High Court order declaring her earlier expulsion unlawful.
The Mpumalanga Division of the High Court, Middelburg Local Seat, ruled on 20 August 2026 that Mashabela's expulsion in May was unlawful, irregular and invalid. The court ordered her immediate reinstatement as an MHRF member and councillor in Steve Tshwete Local Municipality, with retrospective effect.
Mashabela, who also served as the party's treasurer, was expelled on 13 May following her suspension on 6 January 2026.
The charges against her included alleged insolence over language used in a party WhatsApp group, gross misconduct and gross insubordination for refusing to return a party laptop.
According to documents seen by the Highveld Chronicle, Mashabela was invited to a disciplinary hearing on 18 March 2026.
The court found that the party's Municipal Executive Committee (MEC) had breached the MHRF constitution and the principles of natural justice.
The ruling followed an earlier disciplinary committee decision that upheld Mashabela's procedural objection and recommended that her suspension be lifted.
Despite the court ruling, Mashabela maintains that she has not been reinstated and is preparing to pursue contempt of court proceedings against the party.
The MHRF, however, disputes her claims, maintaining that it complied with the judgment by correcting shortcomings in its disciplinary procedures.
The party claims Mashabela failed to attend a second disciplinary hearing, which subsequently resulted in another decision to expel her.
Mashabela disputes the party's account, saying she is still awaiting the outcome of the second hearing that the MHRF claims took place.
MHRF chairperson Jomo Segage said the party interpreted the judgment as requiring it to address procedural irregularities in its disciplinary process.
“The court said we did not follow our constitution. There was a gap between the MEC and the chairperson of the disciplinary committee in the previous hearing. We then resolved to follow what the court was saying in terms of the disciplinary process within the MHRF,” Segage said.
He said the party convened a second disciplinary hearing to give Mashabela an opportunity to present mitigating circumstances.
According to Segage, Mashabela did not attend the hearing, and the party subsequently decided to expel her again.
Segage added that Mashabela could appeal the decision to the MHRF chairperson rather than the chairperson of the disciplinary hearing.
