By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

Two men who are accused of assaulting and intimidating the Batlhaping Baga-Phuduhucwana Tribal Authority chief, Kgosi Tshepo Mankuroane were granted bail. Oratile Segosapelo and Modisaotsile Lebitse briefly appeared at the Taung Magistrate’s Court for two counts of assault and intimidation.

According to reports, Segosapelo(47) and Lebitse (43) along with community members embarked on illegal protest to hand over a memorandum to the local tribal offices. Lebitse, who is the chairperson of Re Aga Taung Civic Organisation (RATCO), said they want Mankuroane to be removed from his chieftaincy position.

“We believe that Mankuroane failed our community dismally and he continues to neglect his duties. The Batlhaping Baga-Phuduhucwana Tribal Authority 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,” he said.

Lebitse also said the Taung Cultural Calabash event continues to benefit only the few. He alleged that Mankuroane has no interest of Taung community at heart.

“We need the family to look for a regent because a loss of trust in the traditional authority by citizens has occurred. Kgosi Tshepo Makuroane failed us despite the traditional authority being the custodian,” he said.

The RATCO’s attempts to submit memorandum were futile as they were welcomed by the high presence of rival group, Tsibogo Ya Taung Civic Organisation at the Batlhaping Baga-Phuduhucwana Tribal Authority offices.

The disagreement ensued between the two lobbying groups and police were called. RATCO members were later detached from the Tribal Authority offices. However, Segosapelo and Lebitse were later ensnared to go back into the offices as Kgosi Tshepo Mankuroane was allegedly ready to meet with them.

A fight ensued behind closed doors. Segosapelo and Lebitse were subsequently arrested. Mankuroane labelled the behaviour of RATCO members as absurd and distasteful. He said what happened was strange and there was a third force involved.

“It is not for the first we experienced this. However, I urge our people not to be used and if they have any grievances, they must follow proper channels. I am using open door policy and anyone who would like to come and engage with me, I am always available.

“If you are not happy about any matter, kindly approach the House of Traditional Leaders in the province and law enforcement agencies. I have taken legal actions against those who were behind these shenanigans because I believe that their actions are equal to sedition,” Makuroane said.

Tsibogo Ya Taung Civic organisation chairperson, Goitseone Legodu said: “We urge our community members to follow proper channels when embarking on protests. We are not against anyone, but the march was illegal. The RATCO members used force to address their grievances and it is wrong.”

Segosapelo and Lebitse were granted R500 bail each and the case was postponed until 24 August 2018.

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Picture: Suspended ANC Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) Member, Mmoloki Cwaile

By BAKANG MOKOTO

The suspended African National Congress (ANC) Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) member, Mmoloki Cwaile calls for the disbandment of the ANC PEC in the North West. Cwaile, who is a vilifier of the former North West Premier and ANC Provincial chairperson, Supra Mahumapelo said he does not recognise his suspension letter.

“My suspension was an erroneous decision which was aimed to facilitate vengeance. Firstly, you would know that the PEC cannot evoke disciplinary processes against itself. The structure would have rather referred the matter to the ANC National Disciplinary Committee (NDC).

“They should have sent it as a recommendation because the rules and regulations surrounding disciplinary issues are addressed only by the PEC, NEC, NWC and PWC. So, in this case, I am a PEC member and the PEC cannot act against itself,” he said.

Cwaile said the ANC PEC in the province has also failed to provide leadership to government. He said everyone knows that the North West Provincial Government (NWPG) has collapsed under Mahumapelo’s stewardship.

“We cannot necessarily appropriate blame to Mahumapelo alone, even though we know that he single-handedly appointed all deployees like municipal managers and Head of Departments (HoDs). I believe that the ANC will not win the 2019 General elections with this state of affairs we find ourselves in,” he said.

Cwaile said the indications are unambiguous. He added that the ANC failed to win by-elections in Coligny and lost to the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Coligny for the first time in history.

“Everyone in our province knows that the government’s fifth administration has collapsed. So, we cannot change that statement. The PEC must be dismantled and I believe that the ANC National Working Committee or National Executive Committee will find it very difficult to arrive at the different decision.

“They NEC must be decisive exactly as they did about governance because that will help and rescue the party ahead of elections. If that happens, then we would have managed to change the perception of our people and bring necessary intervention,” he said.

Cwaile said he has already requested the ANC acting provincial secretary to reverse the suspension. He said the ANC PEC accused him of ‘showing discrimination’.

“The rules that they are referring to in that letter are not correct. It is not true that I am showing any discrimination or political intolerance. Also, it is not true that I was using social media purporting to represent a view of a faction or any organised grouping within the ANC.

“I have given them five days to reverse their decision and if not be, then I will seek a relief from the court of law. However, I would still have to take this matter to the ANC National Disciplinary Appeal Committee (NDAC) if, the ANC PEC has no capacity to reverse its decision,” said Cwaile.

The ANC provincial spokesperson, Gerald Modise refused to comment. Modise said he cannot comment as the matter is now subjudice.

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