Picture: ANC newly-elected regional chairperson in Dr Ruth Mompati region, Sense Maje

By STAFF REPORTER

The divisions within the African National Congress (ANC) in the North West province were witnessed during Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati (RSM) regional conference at All Seasons Resort in Christiana on Saturday night.

It is alleged that the legitimate delegates were denied access into the venue and were supplanted by ‘fake delegates’. Police fired rubber bullets and stun grenades to disperse other faction.

The excluded delegates proceeded to convene a parallel conference of the ‘real delegates’ at PH Mooketsi High School in Taung on Saturday night. They accused the ANC Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) and the National Executive Committee (NEC) deployees of disregarding their grievances.

The newly-elected regional chairperson, Sense Maje from the ‘real delegates’ conference said: “It is a norm to have processes that start way before going to conferences. We have auditing of memberships process that will determine the legitimacy of those members who would attend the Branch Annual General Meetings (BAGMs).

“We would then have the verification report that will indicate the legibility of the processes that were followed like checking whether the BGMs were held in line with the provision of the ANC constitution. After following those processes, we would then understand whether our Branch Executive Committee (BEC) members were composed in a correct manner or not.”

Maje said that process would also determine if those delegates were eligible to go to conference. He said they had a situation where some branches were supposed to be reviewed, but that was done unfairly without giving them an opportunity to present their case.

“The audit and verification processes are not the responsibility of the ANC Provincial Executive Committee (PEC), but the ANC Secretary-General’s office. We have a similar situation and there were some cadres who took the matter to court.

“However, the court advocated that these disputes be resolved within the provision of the ANC structures. However, that did not happen because you cannot have questionable people presiding over BGMs and sitting in the structure that was supposed to resolve those disputes,” he said.

Maje said unfortunately, the ANC in the North West has its own way of doing things compare to other provinces. He added that the branches and individuals wrote to the ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) deployee, who wrote to the ANC Dispute and Resolution Committee chairperson, Jessie Duarte.

“Duarte’s office referred the matter back to the acting convener of the NEC deployee, Malusi Gigaba. So, the so-called regional conference at Christina went ahead without the Dispute and Resolution Committee listening to those branches grievances.

“Police fired rubber bullets and stun grenades and there were hooligans who masqueraded as security forces. We had no choice but to count the number of legitimate delegates and proceeded to convene a legitimate conference at PH Mooketsi High School in Taung,” he said.

Picture: ANC Regional chairperson in Dr Ruth Mompati region, Bitsa Lenkopane allegedly elected by fake delegates

Thapelo Galeboe‚ representing the group of ANC members who allege they were chased out from Christiana‚ told The Timesnewspaper that they went ahead with the parallel conference and that Luthuli House would have to rule on which one was legitimate.

“Our sin is that we did not agree with Supra to Nasrec and we called for the PEC he leads to be disbanded and we removed him as premier. He has been on a revenge mission by removing 70% of our comrades from delegates of the regional conference and disbanded our branch executive committees but we are going ahead with conference‚ not that bogus one held earlier by Supra’s people‚” said Galeboe.

However, the ANC provincial spokesperson, Gerald Modise said the only conference they recognise was held at Christiana. Modise said it is very surprising and embarrassing to see their members taking the party to court.

“We want to know where those who take the party to court get funding. We all know that courts are too expensive. The ANC in the province has realised that there are people who will be against any process taken by the party to bring cohesion.

“However, we will continue to work hard and ensure that there is unity among our members. We also urge those members to refrain from going to court and rather follow proper channels to raise their grievances,” he said.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

Picture: Pampierstad leader, Olebogeng Tumudi in front of one of damaged graves 

By REGINALD KANYANE

The community of Pampierstad was left dejected after more than 100 graves were violated. It is alleged that those graves were broken by unknown people who stole aluminum metals and destroyed tomb stones.

Irvin Danster (42) said this was a pure criminal activity that needs to be stopped. Danster said three graves belonging to his sister and aunties were also violated.

“It is so painful to see your loved ones graves being violated in this manner. I believe that this is disrespect and I urge our police to react. Perpetrator/s needs to be arrested and we also need to assist the police with necessary information.

“We are not sure who is behind this mass violation, but we cannot sit-back. We have opened few cases of violation of grave and damage to property,” he said.

Pampierstad community leader, Olebogeng Tumudi said: “We are not exultant after we found graves being broken at. We embarked on this campaign to fix those graves.

“We need to instill discipline in our people. What happened here is extraordinary and our people need to respect our mausoleums. Some of family members worked hard to buy tombstones and if this happens, they will be affected financial. More money will be needed to fix this mess.”

Pampierstad Police Station cluster spokesperson, Capt Oabona Boikanyo said the violation of grave and damage to property cases were opened.

“We can confirm that we have opened a case regarding this matter. We also urge our people to constantly visit their loved ones’ graves and ensure they are safe. Investigations are underway and we urge anyone with necessary information that could lead to arrest to come forward.”

Boikanyo said the violation of the grave is a misdemeanor at common law.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

By REGINALD KANYANE

Following a series of consultative sessions with all 22 municipalities in the province in the past weeks, the North West local government and Human Settlements department has developed an integrated support plan that will unblock service delivery bottlenecks at local government level.

MEC Fenny Gaolaolwe said the support plan will focus on three key areas such as governance, service delivery and financial management.

“The plan entails among others working with sector departments to capacitate oversight structures such as the municipal public accounts committees (MPACs) to deal with with oversight processes, deployment of performance management systems practitioners to assist identified municipalities to draft their annual reports.

“The plan will also see the department conducting an assessment of the state of organisational structures in municipalities to ensure proper alignment with the mandate and grading of such municipalities,” Gaolaolwe said.

She added that the department will also work with the Finance departmen to assist municipalities to develop a tool to monitor the implementation of internal controls weakness identified by the Auditor General (AG).

“In order to improve implementation of service delivery projects, the department will conduct an audit of water services development plans for municipalities that are Water Service Authorities (WSA), as well as assist municipalities develop water and sanitation reliability master plans,” she said.

The support plan to municipalities follows directives by the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Dr Zweli Mkhize, to the department after a Cabinet decision to invoke Section 100 (1)(a) on the department after an assessment that was conducted by the Inter-Ministerial Task Team appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa early in the year.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

By REGINALD KANYANE

Two men are expected to appear at Taung Magistrate’s Court on Monday for two counts of assault and intimidation. It is alleged that one of the Re Aga Taung civic organisation leaders assaulted the Batlhaping Baga-Phuduhucwana Tribal Authority chief, Kgosi Tshepo Mankuroane at the tribal authority’s offices on Friday during a commotion.

RATCO members embarked on unprotected march and submitted a memorandum of grievances to the Batlhaping Baga-Phuduhucwana Tribal Authority offices on Friday. They demanded that Kgosi Tshepo Mankuroane be dethroned from his chieftaincy position.

RATCO leader, Disco Lebitse said: “We were supposed to hand over the memorandum to Mankuroane’s family as we call for the removal of Kgosi Tshepo Mankuroane from his chieftaincy. We believe that he failed and he continues to neglect his duties as the chief.

“The Batlhaping Baga-Phuduhucwana Tribal Council’s administration is marred with corruption, fraud and maladministration under his stewardship. There are so many challenges such as divergence in land allocation, selling of land to foreign nationals, businesses operating in Taung without following legislation measures and projects stoppage.”

Lebitse said the loss of trust of the traditional authorities by citizens has occurred. He said Mankuroane failed them despite traditional authority being the custodian of the Batlhaping community.

North West police spokesperson, Col Adele Myburgh said that the march was not authorised. She said a meeting was held on Thursday prior to the incident.

“Police were called to the Tribal Authority’s office after about 20 people, who claimed they came to remove Mankuroane invaded the vicinity. The police intervened and calm was restored.

“Two suspects were arrested and Public Order Police were on the scene to monitor situation. The situation was back to normalcy,” she said.

taungdilynews@gmai.com