By OBAKENG MAJE
Factionalism continues to be a dreadful phenomenon within the Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) council, especially in the ANC caucus. This comes after the municipal council elected Grace Totong as the new municipal mayor on Tuesday.
Some of ANC councillors defied their party’s mandate and opted to elect Totong as the new mayor instead of re-instating Kgosi Nnyoko Motlhabane as instructed.
Motlhabane was ousted few months ago through a motion of no confidence sponsored by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).
Now, in the early hours of the morning on Wednesday, the police were summoned to Totong’s residential area in Ditshilong village, Taung after the shootings. It is alleged that unknown men entered Totong’s yard and fired two bullets at her bedroom through the window.
Totong alleged that the ‘shooting’ was politically motivated.
“It is now common knowledge that there was some shooting at my residential area in Ditshilong village in Taung at around 3am in the morning. I was from the bathroom when the shooting took place. Fortunately, no one suffered injuries.
“I would like to assure citizens of Taung that I am in good hands. I am healthy and sound as nothing has happened to me by the grace of God. Anyway, the police are handling the matter and to that extent, I’m not able to comment further because I might prejudice the investigations,” she said.
Now, Totong has confirmed that the municipality has hired a bodyguard for her to ensure that she is safe. However, she refused to divulge more details on how much of the taxpayers’ money was used.
“In terms of my safety, measures have been put in place by the municipality to ensure that my family and I are safe. I wish to thank the municipal leadership for acting promptly in this regard.
“I believe that the shooting was prompted by my election as the new mayor. This manifestation was seen rearing havoc immediately after the special council meeting where I was elected as the new mayor,” said Totong.
The newly-elected mayor confirmed that there are factions within the ANC. She also confirmed that she belongs to a faction, but refused to shed more details on which faction is she serving for fear of reprisal.
“Yes, I can confirm that there are factions within the ANC and I also belong to a faction. However, I would not divulge which faction I belong to because of my safety. So, it is personal and I believe that might create conflicts, splits, and instability corollaries within the community of Taung.
“I am ready to execute my duties without being factional. So, my aim is to ensure there is service delivery to our community of Taung and there is no misappropriation of funds within the municipality,” she said.
Totong said she was requested by the municipal council to step in and assist as the mayor, but not by the ANC even though she is deployed by it. She further said there are factions within the ANC that oppose her.
“It is true that the ANC Interim Regional Committee requested us to re-instate Motlhabane as the new mayor. However, I’ll say the municipality is guided by the legislation. So, if someone from outside comes and instructed us to do something that is not guided by the Municipal System Act, we would not adhere to that.
“The municipal council did what was supposed to be done. We did not refuse to re-instate Motlhabane, but the ANC must ensure that what they request us to do must be guided by the legislation,” said Totong.
When asked if she will defy the ANC’s instruction, if requested to resign, Totong said she will only comply if the ruling party brings valid reasons for her to resign.
Meanwhile, the ANC is expected to request Totong to resign as the IRC coordinator in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Walter Mabogola told Vaaltar FM that the party does not recognise her as the new mayor.
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