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By OBAKENG MAJE

ANC Interim Provincial Committee in North West confirmed that it has submitted its list consists of five names that are charged with corruption or serious crimes to step aside or face immediate suspension.

This follows the ANC NEC’s request to all members who have been charged with corruption or serious crimes to step aside voluntarily in 30 days or face immediate suspension. The NEC also requested all provinces to submit the lists of members who are charged with corruption or serious crimes.

It is alleged that the embattled JB Marks Local Municipality mayor, Kgotso Khumalo who is facing theft charge tops the IPC list, followed by the former North West MEC for Finance, Wendy Nelson who is also facing a corruption and fraud charge.

The ANC National Working Committee also issued a ‘stern warning’ to all members who have been charged with corruption or serious crimes to step aside or face suspension. The structure reiterates the ANC National Executive Committee’s call on the matter.

ANC National Spokesperson, Pule Mabe said this was agreed on during the ANC’ Working Committee meeting on Monday, where lists of all members who have been charged with corruption or serious crimes from all provinces were collated.

“In terms of Rule 25.70 of the ANC constitution, which provides that where a public representative, office-bearer or member has been indicted to appear in a court of law on any charge, the Secretary General or Provincial Secretary, acting on the authority of the NEC, the NWC, the PEC or the PWC, if satisfied that the temporary suspension of such public representative, office-bearer or member would be in the best interest of the organisation, may suspend such public representative, elected office-bearer or member and impose terms and conditions to regulate their participation and conduct during the suspension.

“The NWC received reports from provinces on members who have been charged with corruption or other serious crimes, the status of their matters, whether the affected members have been informed of the decision of the NEC, and whether they have stepped aside,” he said.

Mabe further said the NWC also received a report from the national officials, through a team lead by the Treasurer General, Paul Mashatile on proposed terms and conditions regulating the participation and conduct of members during the period that they step aside voluntarily.

He added that the affected member must update the relevant secretariat on a monthly basis regarding progress with their cases.

“The decision by a member to step aside will be reviewed by the relevant structure of the organisation every six months. The NWC resolved that the decision of the last NEC, as outlined above, must be implemented. Those who have been charged with corruption or other serious crimes and who have not stepped aside should be suspended in terms of Rule 25.70 of the ANC Constitution.

“The NWC instructed that the necessary letters must be written to the affected members implementing this decision, and outlining the terms and conditions regulating their participation and conduct during the suspension,” said Mabe.

He said the NWC also noted various reports of the Integrity Commission and resolved that these reports will be discussed at the Special NEC meeting on 8 – 10 May 2021. Mabe said the NWC also received proposals by the national officials regarding the constitution of an appeals panel provided for in the guidelines and procedures adopted by the NEC for those who wish to appeal decisions of the Integrity Commission.

Meanwhile, South African Communist Party (SACP) secretary in the North West, Madoda Sambatha said: “ANC members should not see the party’s resolutions only when they suit them. When is difficult for them accept, they must just say instead of allowing factional accusations.

“The resolution says people who are charged with serious offences and corruption should step aside or face suspension. So, it means if I am charged today, the ANC Integrity Commission will determine the seriousness of the offence and request me to provide reasons on why I should not step aside.”

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By REGINALD KANYANE

A 64-YEAR-OLD man has been arrested by the police for allegedly stabbing a fellow teacher (45) multiple times with a knife. The incident took place at Tshefoge Primary School in Vaalboschloot near Brits on Monday.

It is alleged that a teacher from Tolamo Primary School in Letlhakaneng village, outside Brits, forcefully entered the community hall wearing a balaclava where learning and teaching was underway and demanded to see the victim.

North West MEC for Education, Wendy Matsemela said: “Tshefoge Primary School has been under construction since from the last quarter, so learners were moved to a community hall as a temporary measure. The suspect allegedly refused neither to sanitize nor to be screened.

“It is reported that when he arrived at the hall, he called the victim and went outside where the argument ensued between them. It is alleged that, the suspect stabbed the victim multiple times on the neck and her back,” Matsemela said.

She further said, some of the school staff came to the victim’s rescue and managed to apprehend the culprit. Matsemela added that the police were called and the suspect was arrested.

“The injured educator is still in a critical condition at the Intensive Care Unit of the local hospital. We would like to condemn the incident in its strongest terms. As the department, we are disturbed and disappointed by such a heinous and barbaric incident that happened in our schools and allegedly committed by one of our educators.

“I wish to condemn it in its strongest terms and indicate that Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is not welcomed in our schools. Anyone who does that will be subjected to the full might of the law,” she said.

Meanwhile, Matsemela said the incident has traumatized learners since it happened in front of them. She also lauded the staff members who showed bravery by apprehending the suspect. 

She said both learners and educators who were exposed to this horrible incident will be provided with counselling.

Matsemela is expected to visit the school on Tuesday. 

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