Checked 16 October 2026
Where the facts about Thabazimbi come from
Every fact on the Thabazimbi page, with the sources we used. We save a copy of each source on the day we read it.
Which party controls the council?
Dated reports
As of 27 May 2026: His Worship Cllr Rankhedi Andries Tshukudu is Mayor and chairperson of the executive committee, the Thabazimbi 2026/27 IDP says. The council adopted the IDP on 27 May 2026. Cllr Refilwe Daniel Mampeule is Speaker. The foreword is signed by Cllr RA Tshukudu, Mayor.
Thabazimbi Local Municipality. Published 27 May 2026.
Where to look: cover pages 1-2 (office-bearers) and 'Foreword by the Mayor'
As of 21 Mar 2026: Thabazimbi held a special council meeting on 17 March 2026. It passed a motion of no confidence in mayor Jacob Pilane and the speaker. It elected Andries Tshukudu as mayor. It elected Daniel Mampeule as speaker. The article says both are ANC councillors.
The Citizen. Published 21 March 2026.
Where to look: section 'Thabazimbi mayor and speaker removed', paragraphs 1 and 4; DA MP Desiree van der Walt quoted later on the 17 March meeting
As of 11 Sep 2025: Cllr Tumisang Pilane is named as Mayor of Thabazimbi Local Municipality. This was during the CoGHSTA MEC's visit on 11 September 2025. An MEC is a provincial minister.
Limpopo Department of Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs. Page is undated.
Where to look: photo captions in the Thabazimbi visit article (Mayor Cllr Tumisang Pilane; Speaker Cllr Dingaan Sebata)
As of 14 Dec 2024: Tumisang Pilane of the ANC was elected mayor of Thabazimbi at a council meeting on 12 December 2024. Pilane thanked the parties in the coalition government (a group of parties that run the council together). The ANC holds 10 of the 23 seats.
IOL. Published 14 December 2024.
Where to look: paragraph 4 (elected 12 Dec); paragraphs 6-8 (seats); paragraph 20 (coalition government)
As of 5 Dec 2024: In the December 2024 election for all 23 Thabazimbi council seats, the ANC won 10 seats. The DA won 4, the EFF 3, the Labour Party 2 and the FF Plus 2. The MK Party won 1 and the Thabazimbi Residents Association won 1. No party has a majority.
Daily Maverick. Published 5 December 2024.
Where to look: seat line under the Thabazimbi section; paragraph 10 (ANC won 10 of 12 wards, 10 of 23 councillors); paragraph 22 (ANC needs a partner)
As of 5 Dec 2024: After the December 2024 election, no party won more than half of the seats on the Thabazimbi council. No party reached the 12 seats needed to govern alone.
Mail & Guardian. Published 5 December 2024.
Where to look: paragraphs 1-2; paragraph 6 (IEC provincial officer Nkaro Mateta)
As of 4 Dec 2024: Thabazimbi held an election in December 2024. Rankhedi Andries Tshukudu won ward 10 for the ANC. A ward is an area with its own councillor. Refilwe Daniel Mampeule won ward 3. It was for the Labour Party of South Africa.
Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). Published 4 December 2024.
Where to look: by-election of 4 Dec 2024, LIM361 Thabazimbi, winners for wards 93601010 and 93601003 (dashboard data files); read 2026-10-18
As of 4 Oct 2024: The Limpopo Premier announced that the Thabazimbi council was closed down early. The Premier also announced that the province would take control straight away. The IEC said elections for the whole municipality would be held by December 2024.
eNCA. Published 4 October 2024.
Where to look: paragraphs 1-2 (dissolution, province takes control); paragraph 12 (IEC: elections by December)
As of 3 Oct 2024: The NCOP (the National Council of Provinces) approved the province's intervention in Thabazimbi. All nine provinces voted in favour.
IOL. Published 3 October 2024.
Where to look: paragraphs 2-3
How were the seats split?
The 2021 result
Who won the 23 seats in 2021.
Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). Page is undated.
Where to look: pp. 1-2 of 2, seat table, Total Party Seats column
Every party
The 2021 seats, by party (ward seats and party seats). African National Congress: 11 (11 ward, 0 party). Democratic Alliance: 4 (1 ward, 3 party). Thabazimbi Residents Association: 3 (0 ward, 3 party). Economic Freedom Fighters: 2 (0 ward, 2 party). Freedom Front Plus: 2 (0 ward, 2 party). Thabazimbi Forum for Service Delivery: 1 (0 ward, 1 party).
Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). Page is undated.
Where to look: pp. 1-2 of 2, seat table, Total Party Seats column
What the official records say
Audit result
The Auditor-General gave Thabazimbi a qualified audit opinion for 2024-25. That is better than in 2023-24, when it got a disclaimer of opinion.
Auditor-General of South Africa. Published 24 June 2026.
Where to look: 'Audit outcome for 2024-25' box and the change from 2023-24 under it (audit of separate financial statements, finalised by 30 April 2026)
Doubt it can pay its bills
The Auditor-General found a going concern uncertainty at Thabazimbi in 2024-25, for the 13th year in a row.
Auditor-General of South Africa. Published 24 June 2026.
Where to look: p. 50 (PDF page 54), 'Sixty-two municipalities with going concern uncertainty and consecutive years in this position', Limpopo, 'Thabazimbi LM' row; p. 49 explains the measure
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