By Obakeng Maje
Mahikeng- Ontlametse Reginah Mochware has had to resign as an MEC within hours of being sworn in. The DA warned that this would happen, since Mochware’s swearing-in was a blatant contravention of the Electoral Act.

DA said in order to make space for Mochware, the ANC illegally manipulated its party list after all legislature members, including the speaker were sworn in.

“This is highly ironic given that the entire legislature had just sworn to protect the constitution and the rule of law. It is sad that one of the first steps taken by the new legislature was in contravention of the Electoral Act” DA North West spokesperson Chris Hattingh said.

According to DA, this episode is indicative of the factionalism in the ANC within the North West.

The deployment of Mochware into the North West Executive, the most inexperienced executive team in the province since 1994, underlined the continuation of factional deployments with no regard to the capacity, expertise or executive experience of the deployed cadres, says DA.  

Hattingh said the interests of the people of the North West once again had been put second to the interests of a small band of people who control the current dominant North West ANC faction.

“This compromised the integrity and the status of the Legislature at the very start of its fifth term. The promise of a clean North West Government and the turning-around of the North West Province made by the newly elected North West Premier, Supra Mahumapelo, only days ago after being sworn in, can now be put into context” he said.

The DA said that is just as hollow as the promises made by the North West premiers in the previous terms, designed only to pacify the suffering North West community while pursuing personal political ends.-TDN
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