• Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba’s allies allegedly bankrolled a political campaign to unseat Speaker Dr Makoma Makhurupetje.
• Public Works MEC Tonny Rachoene and Cogta MEC Basikopo Makamu are allegedly behind the campaigns of NEHAWU and others. 
• Limpopo NEHAWU secretary Moss Maubane has demanded Makhurupetje’s removal, alleging maladministration.  
• Ramathuba and Makhurupetje are contenders for the position of provincial ANC chairperson.

A political storm is unfolding in Limpopo, where allegations of corruption and factionalism involving the African National Congress (ANC), the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (NEHAWU), and the Provincial Legislature have sparked growing tensions.

Despite the ANC insisting that its alliance with NEHAWU remains solid, a dossier seen by African Times paints a troubling picture of alleged corruption and collusion among certain union leaders and officials in the Limpopo Legislature.

A whistleblower, who requested anonymity for safety reasons, alleged that “greediness and open abuse of NEHAWU” were being used to protect individuals implicated in corruption at the Legislature.

“I am shocked and outraged by the appalling conduct unfolding within the Limpopo Legislature and the role that certain union leaders appear to be playing in undermining the administration and efforts to unravel the historic abuse of procurement processes in that institution,” the source said.

According to the dossier, some suspended managers accused of wrongdoing in the Legislature allegedly turned to NEHAWU leaders for protection. “Reliable reports have reached us that a number of suspended managers have approached the union at the invitation of their friend who is in the union seeking refuge from the consequences of their suspension,” the source added.

He alleged that “cash changed hands and promises were made” in exchange for possible reinstatements, implicating “a young man and the Provincial Secretary of NEHAWU, Maubane,” who allegedly “assured these managers of reinstatement in return for payments.”

The whistleblower said the problem extended beyond the Legislature, with “handlers” seeking to manipulate procurement opportunities in other provincial departments, including Public Works, Transport, Safety and Security, and the Treasury.

“Legislature is one of the spaces targeted, using NEHAWU to stop any endeavour to access Supply Chain Management,” he said. “They desire a share of the pie in tenders and awards, siphoning off opportunities that should benefit legitimate suppliers and communities.”

He further alleged that corrupt patterns were “repeating themselves,” including “cash collections, blackmailing politicians, and soliciting favours from suppliers.” One example he cited was “an expensive tombstone reportedly paid for by suppliers linked to departments some officials monitored.”

The dossier accused the NEHAWU Limpopo leadership of becoming “a captured entity by criminals who benefited from looting in the Legislature.”

NEHAWU HITS BACK

Contacted for comment, NEHAWU Limpopo Provincial Secretary Moss Maubane denied knowledge of any unhappy members, saying internal processes were followed in their decisions.

“We are not aware of members who are not happy with the decision, but equally we are not expecting everybody to be happy,” Maubane told African Times.

On accusations that the union’s leadership was factional or aligned with certain politicians, he said: “Unfortunately, we cannot account on that as every member has their choices.”

Responding to claims that branches were not consulted on calls for Speaker Dr Makoma Makhurupetje’s removal, Maubane said the matter was discussed internally.

“This is a call made by provincial leadership after fruitless engagement with the Speaker on all allegations raised,” he said. “A branch meeting of Legislature was convened to be briefed on this decision so that they are aware.”

In a statement issued on 31 October 2025, NEHAWU said it was calling for Speaker Makhurupetje “to resign from office with immediate effect to save the little integrity left for the Legislature.”

The union accused the Legislature of “indefinite suspension of employees without hearings, inflation of prices in the procurement of executive vehicles, wasteful expenditure on overseas trips, and nepotism.”

A Nehawu regional executive committee (REC) member, who spoke on condition of anonymity, accused Maubane and other provincial leaders of accepting payments from Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba’s allies to tarnish Makhurupetje and other ANC rivals ahead of the next provincial ANC conference.

He claimed that Nehawu was being used as a tool to fight political battles within the ANC leadership, and in the process, defending Legislature officials implicated in corruption and financial irregularities.

“In the main, you are seeing the battle for the heart and soul of the ANC leadership leading to next year’s provincial conference, which is closely linked to the national dynamics of 2027. This campaign is not run and financed from Nehawu coffers. It’s run and financed by ANC functions. This is a campaign to say who comes in,” said the Nehawu REC member.

“They are financed by the likes of Phophi, working with her own cabal, the likes of Basikopo Makamu (Cogta MEC) and Tonny Rachoene (Public Works MEC). There is a dossier that is circulating, and it confirms that these are people who survive by collecting money. The leadership of Nehawu. It’s known.” 

The source said when they raised the Limpopo Legislature matter at a Nehawu meeting, Maubane blocked the question and said it would be discussed later.

“When the branch came to the meeting to clarify, we were told the issue of the Legislature would be dealt with at a later stage, only for Provincial Secretary Moss Maubane to come and make an announcement. There were zero, zero discussions on the matter of the Legislature. Where does this matter come from, because it must be sanctioned by the organisation. It can’t be leadership that decides. They want the Speaker gone because once she is removed there, politically it would be difficult for her to achieve her ambition of becoming Deputy Chairperson or provincial official. That’s their end game,” the unionist added. 

Rachoene denied claims that he and others bankrolled the Nehawu campaign against Makhurupetje to pave the way for Ramathuba to take over as provincial ANC chairperson.

His spokesperson, Emmanuel Mongwe, said Limpopo public works, roads and infrastructure MEC had nothing to do with Nehawu’s political programme. 

“It must be noted that MEC Ernest Rachoene is not involved in the allegations mentioned above. The MEC has never interfered in the affairs of NEHAWU, and there has been no complaint or concern raised by the NEHAWU leadership regarding this matter. The issue in question falls within the domain of NEHAWU leadership as it concerns their membership and therefore requires their attention and response,” Mongwe said. 

Basikopo Makamu, the Limpopo ANC Deputy Secretary and MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, said he was not involved in any political campaigns against Makhurupetje.

“Thanks very much. I have got nothing to do with the removal of the speaker using my position as MEC or Nehawu,” he said.

Tshilivhali Muavha, Spokesperson to Ramathuba, said: “The questions about the matters between ANC and NEHAWU are dealt with by the ANC. As the Limpopo Executive Council has not discussed any agenda item that relates to NEHAWU or any Speaker of a Municipality or any Speaker at that.”

ANC DEFENDS UNITY AND THE SPEAKER

ANC Limpopo spokesperson Jimmy Machaka told African Times that the party’s relationship with NEHAWU and other alliance partners remained cordial.

“The ANC in Limpopo and at all levels relate well with its alliance partners, COSATU and NEHAWU. We have a cordial relationship,” he said.

Machaka dismissed claims that ANC members were calling for Makhurupetje’s removal. “As the party, we have not received any official complaint to that effect. All that we know is that the ANC has confidence in the Speaker of the Limpopo Legislature,” he said.

He added that the party was aware of growing political discussions about leadership ahead of its next provincial conference, but insisted that internal processes would guide succession debates.

“The ANC Limpopo has decided to call for an early Provincial Conference; however, such a call is subject to the majority support of branches. Although it remains the PEC decision, branches remain key in accepting or rejecting the call,” Machaka explained.

“The ANC is not aware of any dossier shared by comrades of NEHAWU. We hope same will be shared if any when we meet with them in due course together with our deployee,” he said.

DA CALLS FOR INVESTIGATION

Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Limpopo said it would table a motion in the Provincial Legislature calling for the urgent establishment of an Ad Hoc Committee to investigate the alleged irregularities.

DA MPL Adv Franco Marx said residents “deserve to know how their money is being spent and whether those in charge are being held accountable.”

Marx said Auditor General findings on the Legislature’s finances revealed several red flags, including the “purchase of a vehicle for the Speaker, reportedly over R1 million,” and a poor audit performance due to “lack of proper records.”

“The Speaker informed the Oversight Committee that she did not request the vehicle purchase, but the Committee resolved on 8 October 2025 that she must provide clear timelines on when the investigation report will be submitted,” Marx said.

He said the Legislature had achieved only 68 percent of its performance targets, while wasteful expenditure included “R1.8 million lost to cancelled flights and unused accommodation for a delegation to a Commonwealth Parliamentary Association conference in Gambia.”

According to Marx, the vehicle allegedly purchased for Makhurupetje “was secretly moved and sold to a Mercedes-Benz dealership in Menlyn despite the pending in-house investigation.”

“It is alleged that both the Speaker and the Secretary were present when this vehicle was loaded on a truck to Menlyn,” Marx said. “Considering their alleged involvement, an in-house investigation would be wholly insufficient.”

The DA’s motion will call for a full probe into the Speaker’s vehicle purchase and sale, irregular expenditures, and failures in internal controls and accountability.

“The disposal of an asset under investigation is a blatant red flag,” said Marx. “Limpopo residents cannot, and will not, accept the misuse of public funds being swept under the carpet. Accountability must prevail.”

UNITY UNDER PRESSURE

While the ANC insists its alliance with NEHAWU remains strong, insiders say tensions are rising in the province, where union factions, allegations of corruption, and political rivalries threaten to destabilize long-standing relationships within the ruling alliance.

As calls for accountability grow louder, all eyes are now on the Limpopo Legislature — and on how the ANC will manage the unfolding political battles and corruption allegations in one of its key strongholds.

Andries Lekalakala, the spokesperson for Makhurupetje and the Limpopo Legislature, had not yet replied to a request for comment at the time of print.