Alfred Nzo District Municipality Mayor, Vukile Mhlelembana, has submitted his intention to resign, with his departure set to take effect on 31 December 2025. The African National Congress (ANC) in the region confirmed receiving his resignation letter, but declined to reveal who may replace him, saying the matter remains an internal process.
Mhlelembana’s resignation follows the ANC’s 5th Regional Conference held in July, where he contested for a second term as Regional Chairperson. He was defeated by Tsileng Sobuthongo, the Mayor of Ntabankulu Local Municipality. Mhlelembana, however, was elected as an additional member of the Regional Executive Committee (REC), allowing him to retain a role in regional leadership.
Before becoming the district mayor, Mhlelembana served as the Regional Secretary of the ANC in Alfred Nzo, and later advanced to serve a full term as the Regional Chairperson. The decision to step down submitted in November, four months after the conference has prompted widespread speculation about whether internal party dynamics influenced his move, especially after losing the chairpersonship. The ANC has remained silent, insisting that leadership deployment discussions are still underway.
