BY REGINALD KANYANE

South African National Civic Organization (SANCO) in the North West province dismissed the Democratic Alliance (DA)’s call for an investigation into tender procedures involving murdered businessman Wandile Bozwana. Provincial chairperson, Paul Sebegoe said that the DA’s call was a political opportunism and a shameful afterthought.

Sebegoe said: “DA leader in the Provincial Legislature, Chris Hattingh’s call is insensitive. Bozwana’s family is grieving the loss of their loved one who died under mysterious circumstances that have left our communities and the entire country reeling with shock. It rings hollow because Hattingh failed to call for the probe into tender awarding while Bozwana was still alive to answer to allegations of impropriety.”

He said that the party as an opponent of Black Economic Empowerment was desperate to discredit the ANC government for its political expediency and credit ahead of the 2016 local government elections.

“To the DA, every black businessperson that gets business from government is corrupt; therefore squeezing political mileage at their expense even in their death is equally justified. Some of the disagreements between the provincial government and aggrieved business in the province were resolved in competent and impartial courts of law while some are pending for resolution in the Constitutional Court.

“Ignoring that there is a national tender and procurement reform process to rid the awarding of tenders of fraud and corruption by dragging counter allegations to a political process will only serve as a platform for cheap politicking.” Sebegoe added.

Sebegoe also appealed for the Bozwana family to be given the space and respect to mourn the death of their loved one with dignity and to allow the law to take its course.

Meanwhile North West premier Supra Mahumapelo condemned those who wrote speculations regarding Bozwana’s death on media and social networks to refrain from that.

“The Bokone Bophirima provincial government has learnt with shock and disbelief about the fatal shooting of Wandile Bozwana. It is our belief that the South African law enforcement agencies in collaboration with communities will find the perpetrators,” Mahumapelo said.

He said that they urge all and sundry to allow the law to take its course.

“We are perplexed by insinuations made by individuals such as Themba Gwabeni and Chris Hattingh that the incident may be related to the matter that the provincial government appealed at the constitutional court relating to a company called Tsoga. We encourage Gwabeni and Hattingh to approach the law enforcement agencies as a matter of urgency with information instead of raising suspicions.”

-TDN

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