By BAKANG MOKOTO
The beleaguered Lekwa-Temane Local Municipality mayor, Mpho Pilane has succumbed to pressure and resigned. This comes after the Forum 4 Service Delivery (F4DS) at the municipality subsequently submitted the motion of no confidence against him recently.
Pilane (36) was arrested for allegedly raping, abducting, and sexually assaulting two teenage girls from Christiana on 8 December 2020. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Henry Mamothame said Pilane appeared at Delareyville Magistrate’s Court on two charges of rape, sexual assault, and two of abduction.
“The two complainants are allegedly minors aged 15 and 16 years. The case was opened in Christiana but transferred to Delareyville where the incident allegedly occurred. Pilane handed himself over to the police where he was charged and later appeared in court.
“The matter was remanded to 22 February 2021 for further investigations and the accused is out on R1000 bail,” he said.
F4SD provincial secretary and the Chief Whip at the municipality, Lenyatso Legabe said: “We welcome the resignation of Pilane as the mayor and Speaker of the municipality. Pilane has fallen on his sword amid calls by us for him to resign pending the court outcome.
“F4SD has subsequently submitted a motion of no confidence against Pilane in case he did not heed our call to resign. F4SD herein reiterates its call for the North West mayors implicated in wrongdoings to voluntarily resign or else F4SD deployees in councils will continuously move to unceremoniously force them to resign.”
Meanwhile, the ANC Interim Provincial Committee (IPC) coordinator, Hlomani Chauke said they welcomed Pilane’s decision. Chauke said Pilane’s decision is in the response to the directive by the IPC for him to relinquish his position as a mayor.
“The IPC took this decision in the aftermath of his court appearance. We reiterate our view that whilst the ANC respects the legal principle of presumption of innocence, the charges that he is facing are of a grave nature and have the potential to harm the image of the ANC.
“We are encouraged by Pilane’s decision and his co-operation in carrying out the instructions of the IPC. The 54th ANC National Conference enjoined us to strengthen our understanding of our values, ethics and morality and the demands that the people, the constitution, and the rule of law place on us as the guardians of the state, and its resources,” he said.
Chauke further said they recommit themselves to the destruction of patriarchy in all its forms and manifestation. He said they vow to strengthen their fight against the abuse of women and children.
Lydia Duiker was appointed as the new mayor of the municipality. Duiker said she will instill the spirit of unity and working together at the municipality and ensure that services are rendered to communities.
“My plan is to foster unity and working together amongst all role players in our municipality such as all councillors from all parties, administration, labour, and other sector departments.
“We will also work with the private sector in order to realize the objectives as outlined in our strategic document, which is the IDP. We know that the demands are high in the municipality and the resources we have are limited. Therefore, we need to work together to mobilise additional resources and utilise them in a sustainable manner to our intended collective objective,” Duiker said.
The Guardian 