By OBAKENG MAJE
Four years later since, the former North West Premier, Supra Mahumapelo, who was unceremoniously ousted from his position, seeks justice. Now, Mahumapelo has resorted to court in quest to clear his name.
Mahumapelo is suing the so-called Revolutionary Council members, Themba Gwabeni, Thato Magogodi, and Lucky Kgabi for R10 million for allegedly tarnishing his name. He believed that they orchestrated the #SupraMustFall campaign against him in 2018.
Now, Mahumapelo and members of the Revolutionary Council which is no more in existence, are facing each other in the North West High Court in Mahikeng. However, the acting Judge, Mark Morgan has postponed the matter to allow the defendants time to find legal representation.
According to Gwabeni, who pleaded poverty, there was a fall-out between them and their previous attorney due to the financial bearing. Morgan ordered the defendants to pay legal costs occasioned by the postponement.
“Well, I think everything went well and it is unfortunate that the court roll was full. So, the only date that we could get was 14 and 15 February 2023. Our desired date was to meet in two months to settle the matter.
“Justice delayed, is justice denied. But I am happy that, the Judge has ruled that, the defendants will have to pay the costs that incurred for coming to court today and tomorrow,” Mahumapelo said.
He further said, they will be ready come February 2023. Mahumapelo added that anyone can do illegal things but to a certain extent.
“If one is like a bull that is running around in the veld, but at some point, it will be in the kraal. So, we have to stop this thing of people just mudslinging others in the media without substantiating their arguments.
“I am also going to request the ANC to investigate the genesis of the so-called Revolution Council including the members of the party, who formed it. I would like the final report to be published in South Africa, so that everybody can see that this was a smear campaign to injure my reputation,” he said.
However, Gwabeni said: “Well, the truth of the matter is, there is no character to defame. We as members of the community and ANC, were not going to allow mismanagement and corruption to unfold and kept quiet.
“We have nothing against Mr Mahumapelo as we are both members of the ANC. But as members of the community, we also have an obligation to stop any corruption activities taking place in this country. The Zondo Commission has cleared us and confirmed what we said.”
He added: “We said this before the Zondo Commission and we will do it again. Remember, we formed the Revolutionary Council for one objective, which is to unite and stand for what we believe is right, he said.
“This excitement that we are in court will not last long because this matter will be fully ventilated in court. We are aware that, those who are responsible for investigations are hard at work. So, it is still early, but we have also placed on record and said yes, we believe Mahumapelo is corrupt and presided over a corrupt government.”
Gwabeni said, he was talking to his colleagues that, maybe Mahumapelo was supposed to go in for counselling because he is still in denial. He said sometimes when people falter in life, they do not come to reality and accept that this thing was a mess.
The Guardian 