Sakhile township residents are celebrating after African National Congress leaders recalled the local mayor and several councillors.

ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema and Deputy Police Minister Fikile Mbalula asked the entire Mayoral Committee of the Lekwa Municipality to step down following three weeks of violent service delivery protests.

Residents say this is what they have been asking for and after a lengthy meeting with the ANC leaders, Lekwa Municipality Mayor, Juliet Radebe-Khumalo, and several councillors were asked to step down.

Addressing thousands of residents at the Sakhile stadium Malema promised councillors would be investigated for corruption.

"We are going to bring in an administrator to stabilise everything and to also investigate corruption," says Malema.

Residents left the stadium on Wednesday afternoon with a new sense of hope of better services.