Picture: (ANC Provincial chairperson, Supra Mahumapelo during media briefing at Mpekwa House, Mahikeng)

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

The beleaguered African National Congress (ANC) Provincial chairperson in the North West, Supra Mahumapelo said the disbandment of the ANC Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) will tear the ANC apart in the province rather than ‘bringing unity.’

Mahumapelo briefed the media during a press conference at ANC provincial office at Mpekwa House in Mahikeng on Tuesday. He deliberated on what the ANC Provincial Lekgotlha agreed on during a two-day consultative engagement in Rustenburg last weekend.

The ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) will have a special meeting on Thursday in Cape Town to discuss the situation in the North West province. Most people anticipate that the ANC highest decision-making body will take a decision to disband the PEC in North West.

“Yes, we have been invited to be part of the meeting where NEC will discuss the situation in North West province. So, we will wait for the decision of the NEC and whatever the decision the NEC takes, we must still have a united ANC.

“We must still have the ANC that will win the elections during General Elections next year. We must still have the ANC that is going to mobilise society and ensure that there is effective quality service delivery to the people,” he said.

Mahumapelo said he is not surprised after the call to disband the PEC gained momentum from various structures and individuals respectively. He said it is not for the first time people calling for the disbandment of the PEC in the province.

“The same people called for the dissolution of the PEC 10 years ago. However, the ANC was back on track again and went for a conference and is still the same people who are calling for the dissolution.

“So, I’m sure every conference they will call for dissolution because the outcomes of the democratic processes did not favour them. We were told immediately after the ANC 54^th Elective Conference in Nasrec that the intensification of the call for the PEC to be dissolved is going to be done,” Mahumapelo said.

He added that they have the list of all those who were involved in the campaign to destabilise the province. Mahumapelo said not less than R10m was invested in this campaign.

“This is a campaign that has been unfolding in the province and is well co-ordinated and funded. It has members of the NEC, businessmen, and the members of the National Working Committee (NWC) including the Members of Provincial Legislature (MPLs) in the North West.

“So, it is up to the NEC having considered all these factors including the ones I am saying now. This campaign was not only aimed at some individuals in the province, but at the destabilisation of the province, “said Mahumapelo.

He said it is unfortunate that in this country when allegations are made against you, you are guilty. Mahumapelo added that he hope the future generations can develop a law that deals away with the word called ‘alleged’.

“We will not allow the ANC to be put on sale and bought by anarchic agenda. I am a member in good standing and if the branches elect me to serve in any structural position I am available,” he said.

However, ANC PEC member in the North West, Mmoloki Cwaile had a different view. Cwaile said all indicators are pointing to the decision of disbandment after a visit of the ANC NWC members.

“There are many reasons why the PEC must be disbanded. If the electoral politics is the denominator, the performance indicators should be the result of the elections and we are failing on that one. The ANC as the organisation is not complete if there are no effective leagues in place.

“As the movement, the ANC should have a good relationship with sectors of the society including its own alliance. We have 407 branches and over 300 of those branches made submission in favour of the disbandment.”

Political analyst from University of South Africa (Unisa), Prof Lesiba Teffo said: “Well look, you can disband it, but one thing that you must not forget is we are in Africa here. Personality cults are very prevalent and Supra Mahumapelo is no push over.

“The ANC needs Mahumapelo in as much as he needs the ANC. So, the reason why there is a hesitance, is because they know either where it goes, there bound to be casualties. And I suspects the ANC recognises that is better to keep Mahumapelo in rather than outside.”

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Picture: Pampierstad learners who passed away recently  

By BAKANG MOKOTO

Learners at the Kgomotso High School in Pampierstad are living in fear after the mysterious deaths of three learners. Grade 12 learners, Kamogelo Moseki, Boitshwarelo Seitshiro and the Grade 11 learner, Onkarabetse Segone died in three consecutive weeks.

Mapiti Mmethi, who is a teacher at the school said they called on all churches and faith leaders to come and pray for the school. Mmethi said they are also confused by these mysterious deaths.

“We are concerned as teachers and parents at the school. Three learners died at the school recently and that caused uncertainty amongst our learners especially to Grade 12s. We decided to invite different faith leaders to seek serenity from God.

“Now, other learners fear for their lives and refuse to come to school. We believe that there is an evil spirit winged over the school. Last week, few learners were admitted at the local hospital after they experienced sicknesses while in class,” she said.

School Governing Body (SGB) member, Agnes Mogamisi shared the same sentiments. Mogamisi said that she believes that the school is cursed.

“We brought different faith leaders to the school and believe that might assist. We do not know what is going on here. The SGB and parents acknowledge the fact that some of our learners have different believes, but prayer is more powerful.

“When faith leaders pray, some learners fainted and we think they might be under spell too. There is something sinister going on at the school, but we urge our learners to be strong and continue to study hard despite challenges,” she said.

One of Grade 12 learners, Gobolelwang Mathe said: “This is not happening for the first time at the school. One of learners mysteriously died last year and we were all left shocked. However, having three learners dying is a concern. We cannot concentrate and we fear for our lives.”

Another learner, Maatla Bojang said the deaths will affect the Grade 12s during final year examinations. Bojang said they do not study at school anymore especially during the night.

“We always used to come to school and study as a group, however, some of learners now refuses to come to attend group study. This will affect us negatively during our final examinations at the end of the year,” she said.

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