Steve Tshwete appoints EFF councillor Joana Mthombeni as Public Safety MMC

Middelburg - Joana Mthombeni from the EFF has been appointed Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Public Safety in Steve Tshwete Local Municipality following political consultations between the EFF and the ANC. Mthombeni received her appointment from executive mayor Mhlonishwa Masilela on Friday, 13 March 2026. 

Speaking to Highveld Chronicle shortly after her appointment, Mthombeni said her priority is to tackle crime in the municipality through collaboration with different sectors and  community members. “We are entering a new era with fresh governance, innovative strategies, effective planning, and dedicated implementation. Together with the community, we are committed to transforming the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality into a safer place to live,” she said.

She added that enforcing municipal by-laws will form part of efforts to improve safety. Her appointment follows a directive from the ANC in Mpumalanga to its regional leadership, instructing mayor Masilela to appoint an EFF councillor to the position after discussions between ANC and EFF leaders on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The position became vacant after EFF Chief Whip Joseph Ngubeni was elected speaker of council, replacing  Thato Mathunyane from the Middelburg and Hendrina Residents Front (MHRF), following a successful motion of no confidence on 10 February 2026.

Two days later, mayor Masilela appointed ANC councillor Ernest Nkwana to the MMC position. However, the decision was reversed after objections from the EFF.

According to ANC Nkangala regional secretary Sello Matshoga, the initial appointment was made before consultations between the ANC and EFF had been concluded.

“We understand that appointing MMCs is the prerogative of the mayor but we decided to halt that decision because it was made before consultative talks were concluded between ourselves and the EFF,” said Matshoga.

Following the 2021 local government elections, the EFF entered into a cooperation agreement with the ANC in Mpumalanga to jointly govern several hung municipalities, including Lekwa, Goven Mbeki and Steve Tshwete.

Matshoga said the appointment of an EFF councillor to the position forms part of that political arrangement. “We embrace this appointment as part of our commitment to collaborate with the EFF. We want to extend our best wishes to mom Mthombeni, hoping she excels in her new role,” he said.