By OBAKENG MAJE

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati region alleged that the ANC continues to protect corruption taking place at the beleaguered Mamusa Local Municipality.

This comes after a confrontation between the EFF councillor who is the municipal speaker, Olebeng Mogorosi and the chairperson of the North West Portfolio Committee on Premier, Finance, Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affair, Aaron Motswana recently.

Mamusa Local Municipality was called to appear before the committee to respond to the allegations that the municipality has two acting municipal managers and one was allegedly appointed by Mogorosi.

EFF regional spokesperson, Lebogang Koboekae said they have noted with disgust the on-going onslaught of the municipal speaker by the ANC. Koboekae said it is a fact that the ANC is ‘at the brink of collapsing’ the Mamusa Local Municipality by protecting corruption it has been benefitting from over the years.

“There is a responsibility to ensure that there is accountability within the municipality and sound administration. Therefore, that rests on the EFF councillor who was elected as the speaker of council within the municipality.

“On 6 February 2022, Motswana sent an invitation to Mogorosi that clearly outlined the purpose of the meeting and equally listed the officials who were to form part of the meeting such as the mayor, MPAC chairperson and the municipal manager,” he said.

Koboekae said, surprisingly, upon Mogorosi’s arrival at the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPG) where the meeting was held, he was told that a certain community member, NPO and suspended CFO will be forming part of the meeting.

“Mogorosi outlined to Motswana that the guests could not form part of the meeting since they are not municipal officials or employees. However, Motswana arrogantly told the speaker to leave the meeting if he deemed fit to do so, which Mogorosi eventually did.

“Motswana intentionally undermined the decisions and resolutions of the council by inviting the CFO and former acting municipal manager, who was suspended by the very same council due to allegations of gross financial misconduct as well as his friend who was convicted in a court of law for burning the municipal building to the meeting,” he said.

However, Motswana who came out guns blazing said the EFF statement is bizarre and rejected with the contempt it deserves. He said the committee views the statement as a malicious attempt to defocus the attention of the public and the media on the responsibility of the speaker as the custodian of council resolutions to account and clear the allegations of existence of two accounting officers in a municipality where he is presiding.

“The statement issued by the EFF is unfortunate and seeks to undermine the work of the committee, the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa and the Standing Rules of the Legislature.

“The speaker was treated like any other invitee in terms of Standing Rules of the North West Provincial Legislature (Rule 114) and Section 115 of the Constitution of the Republic. The Constitution does not allow him to dictate to the portfolio committee of the Legislature on how to conduct or who to invite to its meetings,” he said.

Motswana further said he will not be allowed to apply tactics to escape scrutiny and accountability no matter attempts of interference by political parties. He added that once the speaker is elected, s/he should be neutral, non-partisan and act as a guardian to the Constitution, rule of law and enforcer of same.

“The speaker must be reminded that the office he occupied requires him to serve the people of Mamusa and the public not to be political. Outside government, he can submit to his political party views but the position he occupies requires him to be exemplary.

“The Portfolio Committee will not degenerate into unnecessary mudslinging and deliberate attempts to mislead and undermine the stature of the committee. The committee will continue to perform its functions without fear or favour,” said Motswana.

He added that it is against this background that the committee has resolved to summon the speaker to come and account. Motswana said they will also instruct the North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Lenah Miga to go to court and interdict the municipality’s bank account until the council resolves allegations marred the municipality.  

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

Three suspects who were found to be in possession of suspected stolen stock will be remanded in custody until 21 February 2022 for formal bail application. Zamile Mandye (38), Lawrence Moleleki (44) and Kgobokano Moleleki (44) were arrested in Lichtenburg by the Lehurutshe Stock Theft Unit police for being in possession of 21 suspected stolen goats worth R40 000.

North West police spokesperson, Capt Aafje Botma said: “The police made a follow up after receiving a call from Botswana police about 21 goats, which were allegedly stolen in the early hours of Friday morning.

“The accused were initially traced at Madutle Village where Mandye lives, but neither the accused nor the goats were found. Further investigation led the police to Slurry Auctions, but the accused could not be found.

“They were finally arrested at Meyer Auctions in Lichtenburg where they were found in possession of 21 suspected stolen goats worth R40 000. They subsequently appeared at the Lichtenburg Magistrate’s Court and remanded in custody,” Botma said.

She said investigation into the matter continues.

Meanwhile, the North West Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Sello Kwena applauded the police for their team work that resulted in the arrest and the recovery of suspected stolen livestock.

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

More than 5000 RDP houses to be built in the North West province. This was announced by the North West Human Settlements Department’s acting head, James Mashigo recently. Mashigo said the project will prioritise women, youth, people with disabilities, child headed households and elderly people.

“The construction of low cost houses was halted for the past three years due to external and internal administrative challenges. However, following the adoption of new tactics and strategies, the department declared that in the next few months, the province will be turned into a construction site.

“Our sole purpose is to build habitable homes for legible beneficiaries as well as prioritising vulnerable groups. Thus far, eight contractors have been officially appointed and further anticipate that 24 more will be appointed in the next few weeks,” he said.

Mashigo further said the department hopes that as soon as every serviced site has been identified and a contractor appointed, work will begin. He added that he believes that over five thousand houses would have been delivered by March next year.

“I also want to appeal to all municipalities, especially municipal managers to work closely with appointed developers to ensure that delivery is fast tracked. We want to see electorates receiving houses promised by the government.

“Government has taken a resolution that it will build houses on serviced land with water, sewer and other basic amenities. We do this mainly to ensure that after we hand over a house to a beneficiary, all services are available,” Mashigo said. 

He also urges all municipalities to do their part and work with them. Mashigo said the work will commence as soon as they are done appointing every contractor in all identified projects.  

“The department further calls on local councillors and beneficiaries to be part of these projects, mainly to ensure that issues such as illegal occupation, shoddy workmanship and other challenges are evaded.

“We are grateful that municipalities welcomed the appointments and agreed that 30% of the local labour force will be from the local communities,” said Mashigo.  

Meanwhile, one of the contractors appointed to build 200 units in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati district, Palesa Pitso from Kgantso Trading Enterprise, promised to work together with the community of Devondale outside Vryburg.

“I promise to work together with them and to deliver those houses on time. I am now part of this community and we will work closely with them to ensure that we deliver quality houses on time as the department expected,” she said.

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