Murunwa Makwarela has resigned as a councillor and mayor of Tshwane.

Makwarela sent a letter, seen by News24, to Tshwane City Manager Johann Mettler indicating he is stepping down as Tshwane mayor "to protect the image of office I occupy".

The Congress of the People member’s resignation comes hours after the Gauteng High Court confirmed his rehabilitation certificate was fake.

Makwarela used the certificate to prove that he was a cleared of his insolvency so he could return to office as mayor of Tshwane. He said in the resignation letter that he was not "admitting guilt" but wanted the city to move forward with a focus on service delivery.