Bredell seeks court order to remove Theewaterskloof acting director

MEC Anton Bredell’s department is preparing legal action against Theewaterskloof Municipality over the alleged irregular appointment of an acting director.

The Western Cape government has instructed its legal representatives to challenge Theewaterskloof Municipality’s decision to retain acting director Tracy Mbalo-Tshungwana, after MEC Anton Bredell found that her qualifications and appointment did not meet the statutory requirements for the post.

In a letter seen by IOL Media dated 29 October 2026, Bredell informed the municipality’s Speaker that the council had resolved two days earlier to keep Tracy Mbalo-Tshungwana as Acting Director of Community Services.

“In light of Council’s resolution, the Department of Local Government has been instructed to institute legal proceedings declaring that her appointment is unlawful,” Bredell wrote.

He said the department would also seek “any other relief” advised by its legal representatives and a cost order against councillors who supported her continued acting appointment.

The letter follows earlier correspondence from Bredell dated 8 October, in which he raised concerns about the appointment and the minimum qualification requirements.

Bredell’s spokesperson, Wouter Kriel, told IOL Media on Monday: “We cannot comment on this matter at this point in time as it may influence legal proceedings.”

Kriel did not dispute the authenticity of the letter.

Theewaterskloof Municipality spokesperson Tarren-Lee Habelgaarn said the matter had been discussed at a special in-committee council meeting.

“In-committee meetings are confidential, and the administration, therefore, cannot comment on decisions taken by Council during these proceedings,” she said.

Habelgaarn referred further enquiries to the Speaker’s office.

Mbalo-Tshungwana has been Town Manager of Grabouw since 2022.

Previous media reports about her appointment as Town Manager described her as having worked in revenue management at the City of Cape Town and in the Department of Transport and Public Works as an operations manager.

They also said she was a member of the provincial legislature’s agriculture and environmental affairs committee and had served in the Premier’s department.

Her LinkedIn profile lists her as an MBA candidate at Henley Business School Africa, with studies beginning in April 2026. It also lists postgraduate business administration studies at Henley.

In a Facebook post from July 2024 about her graduation, she referred to a postgraduate qualification in business administration at NQF Level 8.

Meanwhile, a sitting Theewaterskloof councillor told IOL Media that Mbalo-Tshungwana remains in the acting director position despite Bredell’s legal threat.

The councillor said the ANC, EFF and PA had voted for her to be retained in the position.

She added that these were the same three parties that voted for the removal of mayor Lincoln de Bruyn last month.

De Bruyn has since been reinstated after the DA in Theewaterskloof approached the courts to declare his removal unconstitutional.