By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

The ANC Interim Provincial Committee in the North West is expected to convene a press conference at ANC Provincial offices, Mpekwa House on Sunday at 11am to officially announce the suspension of ANC memberships of five Members of Provincial Legislature (MPLs) in the North West Provincial Legislature.

The suspension decision comes after the ANC Interim Provincial Committee in the North West allegedly established that Mokgoro was among five ANC members of the NWPL who defied the party’s mandate this week by voting for ANC MPL, Priscilla Williams, as the NWPL’s Chair of Chairs.

The ANC IPC instructed its members to vote for MPL, Lenah Miga as the new NWPL Chair of Chairs. However, the ANC IPC spokesperson, Kenny Morolong did not deny nor confirm the suspension allegations.

Morolong said: “Well, we cannot confirm nor deny these reports. All I can say is that we’ve got a scheduled press conference on Sunday at which we will expand on these matters.”

However, Mokgoro told Newzroom Afrika TV channel that he did not receive any communication from the IPC and he just heard these allegations from the media.

Meanwhile, the ANC Regional Secretary in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati region, Gaolatlhwe Kgabo said the ANC IPC has no powers to suspend memberships of any member according to the party’s constitution.

“According to Rule 25.56 of the Constitution of the ANC should not be implemented out of the context of its sub-rules 25.57.4 and 25.57.5 that will constitute a fatal defective interpretation of ANC Constitution. The rule that speaks to temporary suspension has prerequisites that are clear in the Constitution both in the preamble of rule 25.56 and in rule 25.57.4 and 25.57.5.

“Critical prerequisites of suspension of membership are that a disciplinary process should be due and pending, implications being that a member shall have been served with charges,” he said.

Kgabo said this is further succinctly spelled out in rule 25.57.4 to put the charges before a member for comment and rule 25.57. 5 afford a member a 48hrs to respond to charges before putting temporary suspension to effect either through WhatsApp or SMS as it is alleged to have been the case with Mokgoro and others.

He added that the provision of rule 25.56 and 25.57 is intended to provide procedural credence and legitimacy to a process that if not delicately handled can lead to fatal prejudice of a member.

“The the implication, therefore, is that if membership of anyone is suspended without that a member being served with charges as per rule 25.57.4 and that member afforded 48hrs to respond to charges as per rule 25.57.5, such a suspension will be procedurally flawed and unconstitutional.

“If what is reported by the Dispatchlive is true that indeed Mokgoro does not know about the suspension of his membership and only hear it first from the media, then rule 25.57.4 & 5 will have been grossly undermined rendering the suspension a constitutional and legal moot point and/or act,” said Kgabo.

He said the constitution of ANC confers powers for temporary suspension of membership to PEC, PWC at the provincial level. Kgabo said even though the constitution provides for interim structures to be constituted after disbandment at regional or provincial level, there is nowhere in the entire constitution of ANC where the power to suspend is conferred to an interim structure either at regional or provincial level.

“It is for this reason that interim structures are existing at the  behest of NEC decision at a provincial level and PEC decision at a regional level, interim structures therefore derives terms of reference of their functions from the NEC for provincial interim or PEC for regional interim structure.

“The IPC, therefore, thrives on borrowed power from the NEC and in terms of their terms of reference they will have to source authority from the NEC through the SGO to transact such a delicate political transaction as suspending the Premier and public office Bearers and virtually collapse the provincial Government thereby effecting a coup de tat on their own government,” he said.

Kgabo said there is just no way anyone sane in Luthuli House will have allowed such an outrageous wild venture to ensue without IPC following due process of the constitution to the latter as provided for in rule 25.56 and 25.57 with all its sub-rules.

“Let’s say for argument sake, Mokgoro has indeed voted with opposition and that indeed constitute a travesty that may not be disputed by any ANC member, but how does IPC know since the secret ballot was expedited?

“If IPC leadership knows with surety and authority that Mokgoro and others voted with the opposition then as South Africans, we should be very worried about the credibility of our parliamentary electoral system because if it would have been so easy for IPC to know who voted how and with who in a secret parliamentary vote, then it implies that our parliament’s secret ballot system is not that secret,” said Kgabo.

He said that should be a grave concern to a nation whose constitution advocates for a free and fair electoral system where everyone shall exercise their right to vote free without any fear of intimidation including the fear of being expelled and or suspended.

“If, we can simply know as a fact how did people vote on a secret ballot in parliament nogal, how credible is our national secret ballot in the IEC? And how should we trust our national electoral system if the ruling party in the North West punts an idea that what we have known to be secret is not actually that secret?

“Is the IPC insinuation not undermining the credibility of our parliamentary electoral system? If so, is this a progressive role a ruling party should play in society as polarised as South Africa?” asked Kgabo.

He said he is not sure what the IPC will announce as they were told there will be a press conference on Sunday by the media, but he said he does not think the IPC may be that naive and stupid to make an announcement that is factional, unconstitutional or may undermine the credibility of the electoral system of the national electoral system.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

By REGINALD KANYANE

The Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality continues to be marred with fraud, corruption and maladministration allegations under the stewardship of Boitumelo Mahlangu.

This comes after the startling allegations levelled against some of the municipal officials that they paid a service provider, HT Pelatona Projects PTY (LTD) a whopping R16 million in advance for ‘raising the main from the Bloemhof WTW to Olievenfontein and elevate tank and pump station.’  

EFF regional chairperson, Tebogo Babuile said they have written a letter to the beleaguered Mahlangu as the political head requesting her to explain these allegations. He said Section 56 of the Municipal Structure Act stipulates clearly that it is the responsibility of the executive mayor to monitor the work of the administration.

“It cannot be that the municipality paid upfront payment. Whether it was an upfront payment of the entire project or payment for the material on-site, the fact remains that the municipality paid R16m to Pelatona.

“Now, they are saying the payment was for material on site. However, we went there as the EFF leadership and did our own oversight and assessment, but we can confirm that there was no material on site,” Babuile said.

He further said it is unlawful for the municipality to pay such an amount for the material set to be on-site, but the reality of the matter was that the material was not on site. Bauile said they will demand that Mahlangu give a report back to the council so that it can be able to take a resolution.

“As the EFF, we are also more interested to find out who was part of these shenanigans. We want the names of all those officials that were on duty on 16 December 2020. We also want to check whether if the municipality paid them overtime because it was on a public holiday.

“This is not the first instance. Back in December 2019, the then acting Municipal Manager, Mpho Mothibi paid off the Izwelethu Sam Force the amount of R21 million for material on site, but when we went there, the material was not on-site,” he said.

Babuile added that they are a concern as EFF because it seems it is now a norm in the district that every Municipal Manager who comes in will then pay a company millions of rands without ensuring that there is material on site.

He said if these allegations are true, they want every official who participated in these unlawful and illegal activities to be suspended with immediate effect.

“We also call on the municipality to start with internal investigation process before we even go to the law enforcement agencies,” he highlighted.

However, Gaolatlhwe Kgabo who is a Member of Mayoral Committee (MMC) responsible for infrastructure at the municipality refuted the allegations.

Kgabo said: “It is important to clarify the fact that the contractor was appointed in line with the Supply Chain Management policies of the municipality. Yes, indeed the contractor was paid R16 million, however, it was not in advance as it was reported.

“The contractor was paid R16m for the material that was on site. Basically, before the payment was processed, there was verification done just to confirm that there is material on site. Subsequent to that, we got a letter from the factory confirming that the contractor has fully paid the material.”

He said the material was just kept due to the festive break and as the result, they can safely confirm that the payment was not for the advanced payment but rather for material on site. Kgabo added that the material was currently being delivered to the site.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

By REGINALD KANYANE

The embattled North West Premier, Prof Job Mokgoro said he is adamant that he is still the Premier of the “politically-struck” province and the member of the ANC in good standing amid membership suspension allegations.

The suspension decision comes after the ANC Interim Provincial Committee in the North West led by its co-ordinator, Hlomani Chauke allegedly established that Mokgoro was among four ANC members of the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL) who defied the party’s mandate this week by voting for ANC MPL, Priscilla Williams, as the NWPL’s Chair of Chairs.

The ANC IPC instructed its members to vote for MPL Lenah Miga as the NWPL Chair of Chairs. However, the ANC IPC spokesperson, Kenny Morolong did not deny nor confirm the suspension allegations.

Morolong said: “Well, we cannot confirm nor deny these reports. All I can say is that we’ve got a scheduled press conference on Sunday at which we will expand on these matters.”

Meanwhile, Mokgoro told Newzroom Afrika TV channel that he did not receive any communication from the IPC and he just heard these allegations from the media.

“I really do not understand what gives life to these allegations. At the recent vote, I participated in as a deployee of the ANC was a secret ballot and that is all I can remember. In my entire life, I have never really gone against the mandate or the instruction from the African National Congress.

“So, this is all very unclear to me. Secondly, I have seen these all over the show and hearing people that they have seen a communiqué reporting the suspension of myself. However, nobody has communicated that from the ANC from the province. So, it continues to be news to me and I don’t know anything about my suspension.

He said he just emerged from the ANC Cabinet Lekgotlha, which has been going on for the past three days and no at behold did he bump to the news of his suspension.

Mokgoro added that since his deployment to the premiership position, a major obstacle is in the cause of the service delivery and it is sad because it is the people they are supposed to serve that suffer the most.   

taungdailynews@gmail.com

By REGINALD KANYANE

The ANC Interim Provincial Committee in the North West has ‘suspended’ the ANC membership of the North West Premier, Prof Job Mokgoro. However, the ANC IPC spokesperson, Kenny Morolong did not want to confirm nor deny the report.

“Well, we cannot confirm nor deny these reports. All I can say is that we’ve got a scheduled press conference on Sunday at which we will expand on these matters,” Morolong said.

Mokgoro’s suspension comes after he allegedly voted with the opposition parties when the Member of Provincial Legislature (MPLs) at the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL) were voting to elect the new NWPL chair of chairs this week.

It is alleged that the ANC IPC instructed its members to vote for ANC MPL, Lenah Miga, but Mokgoro and the other three members allegedly defied the instruction and voted with the opposition parties to elect the ANC MPL, Priscilla Williams.

The voting process was conducted through a secret ballot.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

By ORAPELENG MATSHIDISO

In his political report to the 50^th National Conference of the ANC that was held in Mahikeng in 1997, the former President Nelson Mandela, warned and reminded delegates that the ANC was three years in government, but already its deployees were showing some negative tendencies.

To be specific, President Nelson Mandela had given this observation and called for an urgent intervention and said: “We say this because a number of negative features within the ANC and the broad democratic movement have emerged during the last three years. We have an inescapable responsibility to attend to these matters frankly and decisively in defense of both our movement and our revolution.”

I am of the strong view that, the movement and its leadership has not sufficiently heeded to the call of decisively dealing with deployees who continue to disappoint and undermine  the movement and betray the people’s cause.

Former President Mandela has further shared with delegates the painful reality of the negative features which engulfed the movement. He had this to say: “One of these negative features is the emergence of careerism within our ranks. Many among our members see their membership of the ANC as a means to advance their personal ambitions to attain positions of power and access to the resource for their own individual gratification.”

Probably had decisive action was long taken against the cancer of careerism and corruption within the ranks and files of the movement, we could have avoided the establishment of the Zondo commission.

It is quite explicit that for a very long time the leadership of the ANC has been giving lip service to a fight against corruption and careerism within the ranks and files.

Now I think that “we have inescapable responsibility to” fight corruption and careerism wherever they raise their ugly heads within the movement, government and the society in general.

Note: Orapeleng Matshidiso is a political activist in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati Region and also a staunch member of the ANC. The views expressed are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of Taung DailyNews. 

By BAKANG MOKOTO

The Tshepong Complex Hospital in Klerksdorp is looking for Thandanani Nkomo (29) who went missing on 12 January 2021. The hospital spokesperson, Nico Masiu said Nkomo and the other six patients were escorted to Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Gauteng to six different clinics for medical attention.

“The escort nurse helped with consulting in the clinics and accompanied the mother of Nkomo to the pharmacy. She requested the mother to remain with her child as she was going to help other patients. On coming back, the mother reported that the child is missing. 

“The matter was reported to the Matron on duty at Bara hospital, and the security office to report the missing child.  The security officer at Bara checked the CCTV camera which showed the patient was seen exiting the main entrance on the day of the incident,” Masiu said.

He added that the security officers at Bara then reported the matter to SAPS. Masiu added that a case of a missing person was opened and at present, the patient has not been found yet.

“Should you know or saw Thandanani Nkomo, please contact Matron In – Charge of Outpatients at Tshepong hospital on Tel: 018 406 3111 or Mr. Nico Masiu: PRO on 0606837096,” he said.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

The ANC Young Women’s Desk in North West said it is concern over the allegations levelled against the Executive Mayor of Rustenburg Local Municipality, Mpho Khunou.

This comes after the embattled Khunou found himself embroiled in a scandal after a former colleague, Sinah Makgatlha (35) who is also a member of ANC, has accused him of harassing her and leaking her nudes to spite her after she ended their relationship.

According to Sowetan newspaper, Makgatlha has opened a crimen injuria and defamation cases against Khunou and has also obtained a protection order against him. However, it was reported that Khunou has approached the court to try and overturn an interim protection order granted against him.

Now, the ANC Young Women’s desk provincial convener, Galebekwe Tlhapi said: “We have noted with concern the allegations levelled against Khunou. We still reiterate that our stand against Gender-Based Violence holds no fear or favour on perpetrators found guilty by the court of law on committing heinous crimes.

 “Allegations levelled against Khunou cannot be taken on a lighter note due to his reputable position as a leader within the ANC led government. In fact, we urge that stringent laws are taken against him if he is found to be guilty of such crimes.”

Tlhapi added that as the Young Women’s Desk supports the victim for taking the matter to court and stand with her until the court rules otherwise. She further sensitizes some members of the organisation to not deduce this matter as a political ploy against Khunou, but request parties involved to allow the process to unfold and deal with the matter accordingly in respect of the court’s decision.

“We are, however, perturbed by the unending pattern of our own leaders and members of the organisation who continue to use their leading positions of power to demonstrate narcissistic deeds.

“We, therefore, urge the ANC Interim Provincial Committee (IPC) to lead by example in ensuring a fair and safe environment for the most vulnerable and voiceless people, and act swiftly on the matter whilst investigations are ongoing,” said Tlhapi.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

By REGINALD KANYANE

Mahikeng Ministers Fellowship (MMF) mourns the death Dr Samuel January. The Interdenominational five-fold ministries fraternal chairperson, Senior Pastor Moss Tlalang described January as a servant leader who has run the race with perseverance, dignity, and integrity.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with his beloved wife and ministry partner, Sister Althea, the bereaved January family, the Breakthrough Ministries, relatives, and friends during this difficult period of mourning.

“We hope that the bereaved will find solace in knowing that the leadership and membership of MMF committed to the unity of the body of Christ, the Great Commission and Kingdom collaboration shares their grief and sorrow,” he said.

Tlalang added that January was not a member of MMF, however, through his company, Breakthrough Travel, he had sponsored the MMF Global Day of Prayer Banner which the organisation is using to-date.

He further said the Danville community, Mahikeng and the body of Christ, in general, has lost one of its spiritual leaders who was a pillar of strength and a fountain of great wisdom who was committed to the work of the Lord.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

By BAKANG MOKOTO

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Greater Taung Local Municipality calls for the suspension of the municipal manager, Katlego Gabanakgosi, and the Chief Financial Officer, Victor Tshwene.

The DA caucus leader, Lesego Maila said for the past two years, the municipality has failed to submit its Annual Financial Statement (AFS) as required by Section 126(1)(a) of the Municipal Finance Management Act of 2003.

“During a virtual Special Council meeting, the municipality presented a report claiming that the delay was due to Covid-19 as the finance staff was working remotely and were unable to consolidate all relevant financial supporting documents.

“However, in the 2018/2019 financial year, South Africa had not yet reported any cases of Covid-19 and yet in the same report, there was no financial statements or information submitted,” Maila said.

She further said the report that was presented, shows that the municipality is not taking responsibility for the financial mismanagement and their failure to comply with their statutory obligations. 

Maila added that the National Treasury even extended the deadline for the AFS to be submitted and still the municipality failed to meet that deadline.

“During the council meeting, the DA recommended that a forensic investigation be conducted as the AFS was not submitted because there wasn’t enough financial information and supporting documents submitted.

“The lack of information points to irregularities by the Accounting Officers. We requested that the AG report on failed submission of the annual financial statements be made available and tabled in council,” she said.

Maila also alleged that the municipal mayor, Kgosi Nnyoko Motlhabane failed to exercise his oversight role over the financial management of the municipality, therefore he must be held responsible for his failure.

“We have also requested an audit into the money spent on overtime by all financial staff of the municipality, should any irregularities be found, the Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC) must ensure that the money is recovered since then has been a failure in performing duties.

“The DA also recommended that the Municipal Manager and the Chief Financial Officer be suspended pending said processes. We made these recommendations, however, the Speaker Ebuseng Tladi did not allow for the secondment to take place, rendering council useless in exercising its duties,” she said.

However, the Greater Taung Local Municipal Manager, Katlego Gabanakgosi refuted Maila’s claims and rendered them absurd. Gananakgosi said the delays were caused by various reasons including the collapsed of the Financial Management System that affected four other municipalities in the province.

“As the municipality, we thrive on transparency and accountability, in particular, I as the accounting officer. I will just give a background that 2018/19 financial year annual statements have been submitted to the Office of the Auditor-General (AG) around 8 January 2020. Yes, they were late because, under normal circumstances, AFS is supposed to be submitted within 60 days at the end of the financial year.

“This means we were supposed to submit our 2018/19 AFS in August 2019. However, we could not do that because of the problems we had with the Financial Management System (FMS). Other four municipalities also failed to submit their AFS due to the same challenges,” he said.

Gabanakgosi ‘hold no punches’ and said the same council including the DA had walked the path with them as they have explained to them the reasons for late submissions. He said mostly, their challenges were caused by the disintegration of the system.

“Even though our system crashed, we managed to submit in January 2020. The only unfortunate part was that a month towards the AG auditing those AFS, we were hit by COVID-19 disease and the audit too long.

“It was only on 10December 2020 when we were given the audit outcomes, which was a qualified opinion. It is common that we needed to wait for the audit outcomes that came out on 10 December 2020 to compile the report for 2019/2020 financial year,” said Gabanakgosi.

He said their plan was to submit the AFS in January 2021, but due to some COVID-19 related challenges, they could not submit. Gabanakgosi said three of their officials from the finance department were affected by COVID-19.

“We are planning to submit our AFS for the 2019/2020 financial year at the end of February 2021 and the council have approved our request. Actually, it was not the DA’s recommendation that the matter is sent to the MPAC for investigations.

“The DA statement is misleading because it is the council that took the decision to refer the matter to the MPAC for investigations,” he said.

Meanwhile, the municipal speaker Ebusang Tladi said: “It is untrue that after Maila suggested the suspension of the Municipal Manager, the CFO and the issue of non-compliance on the oversight role by the mayor, I did not give an opportunity to anyone to second that. Unfortunately, no one seconded her on those agendas. So, the item was closed before moving to the next one.”

taungdailynews@gmail.com