By OBAKENG MAJE
Former North West Premier and ANC Provincial Chairperson, Supra Mahumapelo and the ANC Women’s League acting secretary in North West, Bitsa Lenkopane who is also a Member of Provincial Legislature (MPL) in the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL), Bitsa Lenkopane were handed a five year suspension from the ANC by the Interim Provincial Committee with immediate effect.
Embattled Mahumapelo and Lenkopane were hauled before the ANC Provincial Disciplinary Committee (PDC) after being charged for various offences. Mahumapelo was charged for ‘sowing divisions’ within the party and organizing parallel ANC campaigns.
He also accused of instructing the beleaguered JB Marks Local Municipality mayor, Kgotso Khumalo to ‘ignore’ the IPC’s instruction after it ordered Khumalo to step aside amid criminal case.
Mahumapelo and Lenkopane were part of ANC members who addressed ANC branches at Delareyville on Sunday. They vowed that they will not appear before the disciplinary committee unless some of its members recuse themselves.
The disciplinary hearing for Mahumapelo and Lenkopane was scheduled on 26 and 27 April 2021.
The ANC PDC Chairperson, Wendy Matsemela said: “We, as the Provincial Disciplinary Committee of the ANC in the North West wish to report that, we at a duly constituted disciplinary hearing of the ANC against the respondents, Supra Mahumapelo and Bitsa Lenkopane.
“The hearing was held on 26 and 27 April 2021 concluded the disciplinary matters against the above-mentioned respondents on 27 April 2021 after considering the charges and evidence led.”
Matsemela further said the PDC, therefore arrived at the verdict that both Mahumapelo and Lenkopane have been found guilty as charged. She added that after considering the aggravating factors as submitted by the presenter of evidence on the behalf of the ANC represented by the IPC in the North West province, the committee therefore concluded that both members are hereby suspended from the ANC for a period of five years with immediate effect.
“Both respondents must be removed from the lists of public representatives of the ANC. Mahumapelo should undergo a mentorship program on political leadership under the former president of the ANC and the Republic of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki for a period of three years.
“Lenkopane be also placed under the mentorship program under veteran Barbara Masekela or any other designated senior leader to assist her for a period of five years. Both respondents are advised of their rights in respect of the appeal review the verdict and or sanctions accordingly with the National Disciplinary Committee of Appeals in terms of the rule 25.36 and rule 25.38 of the ANC constitution respectively,” she said.
Matsemela said the said application for appeal and or review must be launched with the National Disciplinary Committee of Appeal within 21 days from the date of receipt of the ruling.
Meanwhile, Mahumapelo and Lenkopane failed to respond to our media inquiries before going to print.
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