ANC suspends Thapelo Molepo over social media claims of R700 million tender fraud

ANC in Limpopo has suspended one of its members, Thapelo Molepo, for three years after he was found guilty of bringing the party into disrepute. 

A disciplinary hearing held by the ANC's Mphogodiba Branch Disciplinary Committee on August 15, 2025, found that Molepo had breached the party's policies. 

A letter that IOL News has in its possession states that Molepo has been suspended for three years. 

ANC Mphogodiba Branch Disciplinary Committee chair Marothi Letsoalo confirmed that the letter outlining Molepo’s suspension was accurate.

“We can confirm that the letter is accurate. We sent the letter to him, but we did not publicise it - he is the one who decided to do so,” Letsoalo told IOL News.

Letsoalo said that Molepo had failed to attend disciplinary hearings despite being summoned several times.

He said Molepo once attended a meeting but refused to sign the roll call, rendering the meeting invalid.

A disciplinary hearing was eventually held in absentia on August 15, 2025, at Sehlale Primary School, following a re-invitation letter dated August 6, 2025.

Letsoalo said the hearing focused on Molepo’s social media activity, where he allegedly insulted ANC leaders, members, deployees, and members of the public.

“He was found guilty of engaging in unethical or immoral conduct that detracts from the character, values, and integrity of the ANC, behaving in a manner or making statements that bring or could bring the ANC into disrepute, and acting in a way that provokes or could provoke division or negatively affect party unity,” Letsoalo said.

The committee resolved to suspend Molepo’s ANC membership for three years, effective from August 17, 2025.

During the suspension, Molepo is barred from participating in any ANC activities or representing the party in any capacity. 

He is also prohibited from exercising any rights under the ANC Constitution, holding ANC office, or representing the party on any public platform.

Molepo, a former ANC member in the Polokwane Sub-Region under the Mphogodiba Branch, was suspended on August 15, just two days after leading a protest calling for the removal of Polokwane Mayor John Mpe and municipal manager Thuso Nemugumoni.

Molepo has been vocal in alleging corruption and irregular tender activities worth more than R700 million at the Polokwane Municipality, allegedly involving Mpe and Nemugumoni. 

Now serving as the convener of the activist group Concerned Citizens of Polokwane (CCP), Molepo has published documents on social media that he claims expose tender fraud. 

He alleges that 28 companies, many of which are reportedly owned by associates of Mpe and Nemugumoni, were awarded tenders irregularly.

Mpe, who also serves as the regional chairperson of the ANC in the Peter Mokaba region, has previously denied the corruption allegations, calling them part of a political smear campaign.

ANC provincial spokesperson Jimmy Machaka confirmed that the party is aware of the allegations made by Molepo.

“The ANC in Limpopo notes the allegations. Those making them should approach law enforcement agencies so the claims can be tested,” Machaka said.

“We caution members of the public against making unsubstantiated allegations. Anyone with evidence of wrongdoing should approach the authorities so that the law can take its course.”

However, Machaka also said the ANC Limpopo Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) had not been formally notified of Molepo’s suspension.

“The ANC in Limpopo is not aware of any suspension of Cde Thapelo Molepo. The matter was never brought to our attention as the PEC,” he told IOL News.

simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za

IOL News