By OBAKENG MAJE
Gloves are off within the ANC caucus at the Greater Taung Local Municipality council. This comes after the removal of the municipal mayor, Kgosi Nnyoko Charles Motlhabane from his mayoral position through a motion of no confidence.
Motlhabane was ousted from his mayoral position by the Economic Freedom Fighters’ sponsored motion during a virtual special council meeting on Tuesday. Now, the South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco) in the North West is ‘hopping mad’ and says municipal speaker, Ebusang Tladi must fall on his own ‘dagger.’
It is alleged that a seditious Tladi who is believed to be a staunch member of Mahumapelo and Radical Economic Transformation (RET) forces, connived with the EFF to oust Motlhabane from his position.
Sanco provincial secretary, James Gadinabokao described Tladi as a ‘defector’ and said it is high time to derail him and his cronies from their rails before they destroy the ANC.
Gadinabokao said they will approach the court to seek legal ramification in quest of restoring Motlhabane’s good image and integrity.
“The removal of Motlhabane by the EFF motion of no confidence supported by Tladi is unlawful, unprocedural, illegal and unethical. But, we are aware as SANCO that Supra Mahumapelo is fully behind this because last weekend he had a meeting with some of the ANC councillors who plotted against Motlhabane,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA) councillor, Lesego Maila said: “Motlhabane’s removal is yet another example of the ANC’s factional and internal battles playing themselves out at the expense of residents. The DA tried to raise concerns regarding this procedure and the legal ramification that may follow if proper steps are not followed, but our concerns were ignored by the Speaker.
“Tladi informed councillors that according to Section 28 of the Municipal Structure’s Act, if a motion is not opposed then it can be passed without being debated or discussed.”
ANC councillor, Crespo Menyatso also questioned the method used by Mahumapelo’s ‘cheerleader’ to conduct the council meeting. Menyatso vented his views on his Facebook page.
“In terms of the GTLM council rules of orders (rule 28.2), it was illegal for the Speaker to allow the EFF’s motion of no confidence against the mayor of GTLM to be discussed in today’s council meeting.
“Tladi denied councillors of the ANC to debate in opposing the motion of minority party. He removed everyone who stood to oppose the so-called motion of no confidence against the mayor from the special council meeting that was held virtually today,” he said.
Menyatso further said clearly, Tladi is the one who removed Motlhabane as the mayor, not the EFF. He added that the motion was sponsored by the Speaker and his group.
“The good man was removed but…….”
However, the egotistical Tladi refuted the allegations. He said there is nowhere he indicated Section 28 of the Municipal Structure’s Act.
“I have said in terms of Section 28.7 of rule of orders, if the motion is not opposed, it just goes as it is. It is not me, but the rules of orders adopted by the same councillors. So, this is what exactly happened regarding the EFF motion.
“I can attest that the ANC including the DA did not oppose the motion. Both parties did not submit any intentions to oppose. In terms of procedure of the council, councillors who have any intentions to oppose after receiving the agenda should submit their speaking lists to the Speaker through their Chief Whips to be allowed to speak,” Tladi said.
He said there was no way he could allow councillors to speak on the motion that they did not oppose. Tladi also said it is not true that the MPAC of the municipality is dysfunctional.
“The MPAC of the municipality is functional and it has been applauded by the National Portfolio Committee on Local Government. We are the only MPAC that was recognised across the Dr Ruth Mompati District Municipality.
“Menyatso concurred that he did not submit his intention to oppose, but requested me to indulge on that matter. However, I refused because he did not submit his intentions to oppose,” said Tladi.
He also lambasted Gadinabokao and regarded him as a loose cannon. Tladi denied meeting with Mahumapelo too.
“If Mahumapelo was in Taung and met with ANC councillors, he is a member of the ruling party. But to clear the matter, if Mahumapelo wants to meet me, no one will prohibit me to do so.
“However, I am not aware of any meeting between Mahumapelo and some ANC councillors,” he said.
ANC Interim Provincial Committee (IPC) spokesperson in the North West, Kenny Morolong said: “Well, we have noted with concern the decisions of both Madibeng and Taung Local Municipal Councils to remove both their mayors through motions of no confidence.
“We have also learnt with utter shock that ANC deployees collaborated with the oppositions to remove both mayors of the ANC and did so without the organisation’s directive. These developments represent a continuation of a new and worrying tendency in our caucuses across the province.”
Morolong said this tendency seeks to erode the centrality of the ANC as the only centre of power. He said they would like to remind their deployees that the deployment and re-deployment of the mayors remains the exclusive domain of the IPC.
“So, the IPC in due course will reflect in these developments. Following which it will explicitly expresses itself with respect to its decisions and the next course of action,” he said.
The Guardian 