The Limpopo Department of Public Works, Roads, and Infrastructure has announced an out of court settlement between the Roads Agency Limpopo (RAL) and its former CEO, Gabriel Maluleke, ending a bitter legal battle marked by multiple court defeats for the department.

In a media statement released on 14 March 2025, the department confirmed that Maluleke withdrew his High Court application challenging his suspension and the unlawful dissolution of the RAL board by MEC Ernest Rachoene in 2024.

In return, RAL agreed to contribute to his legal costs and formally terminate his employment contract on 31 December 2024, expunging his suspension and dismissal from the record.

The settlement halts the department’s pending bid to appeal the matter at the Constitutional Court, which critics had labelled a “delay tactic” after the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) dismissed its challenge on 30 January 2025.

The SCA had earlier ruled the department’s appeal had “no reasonable prospect of success” and ordered it to pay costs.

MEC Rachoene welcomed the resolution, stating it would allow the agency to prioritise road upgrades.

“We would like to thank Maluleke for the constructive way he approached the negotiations between him and RAL, leading to the final resolution of the matter, and we wish him well in his future endeavours. said Rachoene “It also come as a relief that this withdrawal of the application by Maluleke also settles the leave to appeal of the SCA and the Constitutional Court. The Senior Councils of both parties are currently engaging to finalise the details of the settlement.”

He added that a new RAL board and CEO would be appointed “in due course” to refocus on its core mandate, which is to upgrade roads from gravel to tar.

“This is a victory for all parties involved, as the department and its entity will now focus on making our roads drivable. Reality is that our people are in dire need of services, in the space of roads infrastructure. We really appreciate all parties involved for prioritising our people” said Rachoene.

The dispute began in July 2024 when Rachoene dissolved the RAL board, led by Matome Ralebipi, without notice, and suspended Maluleke weeks later. The Polokwane High Court ruled these actions unlawful in October 2024, citing violations of the Roads Act and Companies Act, and nullified the appointment of Moses Tseli as interim authority.

The department’s subsequent SCA appeal failed, with the court dismissing its arguments as meritless.

With the settlement concluded, RAL is expected to stabilise its governance and address Limpopo’s road infrastructure backlog.

African Times published this article in partnership with International Media Network TV BRICS