Facebook: A prominent businessman and SANCO PEC member, James Gadinabokao
By OBAKENG MAJE
South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) held an extensive meeting that was marred with widespread discontent at Lichtenburg on Saturday. SANCO provincial secretary, Packett Seaketso said the aim of the meeting was to address various challenges ranging from maladministration and corruption in government including insurgency of its members.
It is alleged that a protracted conflict between Seaketso and a PEC member, James Gadinabokao who is also a prominent businessman showed its ugly head again during a heated meeting. However, Seaketso said in a statement that the organisation has resolved to suspend Gadinabokao and another member, Bisto Sekonyela with immediate effect.
“We have resolved to suspend Gadinabokao and Sekonyela pending investigations on their conduct. This is in relation to a variety of serious allegations, which the two comrades are alleged to have made on behalf of SANCO.
“The PEC meeting has also resolved to call on the North West Provincial Government (NWPG) to conduct a lifestyle audit on public representatives and government officials as part of the ongoing efforts to enhance ethical, accountable, and transparent leadership. There are numerous allegations of large scale corruption and looting that is continuously taking place and the provincial government cannot look the other way,” he said.
However, Gadinabokao labeled Seaketso’s claims as hogwash. He said the ‘misunderstanding’ between him and Seaketso emanated from his utterances after calling for the disbandment of the ANC Interim Provincial Committee (IPC) recently. Gadinabokao was seen on video footage that went viral, calling on the ANC IPC coordinator, Hlomani Chauke to go back to his place of origin, which is Giyani in Limpopo.
However, Gadinabokao said he will never budge. He said he will continue to speak his mind and preach the gospel truth without fear of reprisal.
“Let me put it on record that I and comrade Bisto Sekonyela were part of that meeting in Lichtenburg yesterday and there was no such a decision. We argued our case in the Provincial Working Committee (PWC) and later in the PEC. The decision in both constitutional structures of SANCO is that the secretariat must process and formulate a report of those allegations, investigate and thereafter charges should be procedurally brought to the attention of the PWC and PEC for formal organisational decision-making.
“The media statement released by Seaketso is not the true reflection of what transpired in the PEC meeting and unfortunately, it would never be adhered to by us. We are not running a traditional council here and SANCO leadership must just be truthful to its constituency on the matter of its legitimacy.”
Gadinabokao also lambasted Seaketso for allegedly confusing the ANC infights with SANCO. He said one of SANCO’s mandates is to ensure it addresses the pre-conditions such as poverty, inequality, social discrimination, and lack of social justice and democracy and held public representatives accountable without fear or favour.
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