A legal battle is brewing at the Madibeng Local Municipality in Brits, North West, over allegations surrounding a controversial office furniture purchase.
Embattled Executive Mayor Douglas Maimane has threatened legal action against an individual who claimed his office spent R800,000 on just ten office chairs.
Speaking to Motlhaping Modise on YOU FM Newshour, Maimane described the claims as malicious, misleading and entirely without factual basis, demanding an immediate apology and retraction.
“We have just reviewed the social media post and identified the individual who fabricated these allegations.
“The matter has been referred to my lawyers, who are currently preparing the necessary legal documents to ensure the allegations are withdrawn. Should this not happen, I will certainly pursue legal action against the individual concerned,” said Maimane.
He stressed that since taking office in 2021, he has continued using the same office furniture inherited from his predecessor.
Maimane dismissed the allegations as part of a smear campaign intended to mislead the public and damage both his reputation and that of the municipality.
“This matter does not warrant any action, including a forensic investigation or reporting it to the police. It is a complete fabrication. It is a lie, and it is not worth wasting any time or energy on,” he said.
Meanwhile, the legal battle over attempts to remove Maimane from his position as Executive Mayor remains unresolved.
His political party, the ANC, has reaffirmed its decision to officially recall him following a leaked audio recording that allegedly implicates him in a bribery plot.
The recall stems from a leaked 30-minute audio recording from March 2026, which allegedly captures Maimane offering opposition councillors R200,000 to work against the ANC ahead of the local government elections.
“It is a matter I do not wish to comment on. As a disciplined member of the ANC, I will remain within the confines of the processes currently taking place between myself and the leadership of the ANC,” Maimane said.
