The recently elected African National Congress (ANC) councillor for Ward 30 in the Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality, Sekhukhune, Limpopo, has been arrested on charges of extortion and the illegal closure of a local mine.
Yalda Matlabane Tobias Malope, who secured his position during the by-election held on December 11, 2024, was taken into custody by the police on January 9, 2025.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) reported that on January 9, 2025, at approximately 07:00, Roossenekal Police apprehended eight male suspects, aged between 25 and 43, at a construction site along the R555 road in Roossenekal.
The arrests followed a complaint from a 54-year-old victim who alleged that a group, led by an individual suspected to be a councillor, had threatened to mobilize community members against the construction site, obstructing employees from accessing their workplace.
The complainant also reported a financial loss of an undisclosed amount due to these actions.
The suspects were charged with extortion and are scheduled to appear before the Nebo Magistrate Court on Monday, January 13, 2025.
In a media release dated January 11, 2025, the Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality acknowledged Malope’s arrest and committed to cooperating with authorities on the investigation.
“We take these allegations very seriously and are fully cooperating with the authorities involved in the investigation. The municipality is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity, accountability, and transparency in all its operations.”
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in the Sekhukhune region did not take Malope’s actions lightly. In a statement released on January 12, 2025, the EFF called for his immediate resignation, emphasising that such behaviour undermines the economic well-being of the communities in Roossenekal.
“However, as the EFF we are deeply disappointed to learn that a Councillor who has a mere 30 days in office has already committed serious offenses such as Extortion.” read the statement “We find it obvious that this 30 days in office Councillor is not a good example to the society, he is not a good leader, thus; we call for his immediate resignation as a Councillor of Ward 30 in Elias Motswaledi Local Municipality.”
