Picture: The ANCYL provincial chairperson, Wessel Morweng, provincial secretary, Tshiamo Tsotetsi and provincial spokesperson, Kutlwano Masibi
By BAKANG MOKOTO
The ANCYL in North West has refuted allegations that it was dragged before the ANC Provincial Disciplinary Committee (PDC) on Monday. This comes after ANCYL called for the removal of the sick North West Premier, Bushy Maape last week.
The ANCYL provincial spokesperson, Kutlwano Masibi said they were summoned to a consultative engagement meeting by the ANC provincial secretary, Louis Diremelo to explain their utterances regarding Maape’s removal.
“There was no hearing on Monday, but Diremelo requested a formal consultative engagement meeting with our provincial secretary, Tshiamo Tsotetsi. You will remember that, before you can drag anyone to a disciplinary hearing, there are processes that need to be followed including charging a person.
“So, at this stage, there is no disciplinary hearing that the ANCYL leaders are subjected to. We have not even received any formal charge sheet. On Monday, he just had an engagement with Diremelo regarding the statement we made over Maape’s early retirement,” he said.
Masibi further said the engagement is still ongoing and it is regarded as internal. He added that, once the process has been completed, both structures in the province will release a joint statement pertaining to that.
“So, let’s allow that process to unfold before we are pre-emptive,” said Masibi.
The defiant Tsotetsi said the premiership position is strategic and a bedrock of the implementation of key government policy in particular and service delivery in general. He said a lack thereof, makes it arduous for the government to properly function.
“The people of North West deserve a full complement of leadership in order for them to realise their desired goals. It is worth noting that, Maape has excelled with distinction in stabilisation of government post-administration. We have seen steady improvement in all departments post-administration.
“There is empirical evidence that a substantial Premier will assist in the implementation of government work. The engagement pertaining to this matter must ensue in the movement and the way forward must ensue,” he said.
Maape underwent a surgery two months ago. He was admitted to Wilmed Park Hospital in Klerksdorp for a minor orthopaedic procedure.
Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA) Caucus Leader in the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL), Freddy Sonakile said: “We will request the North West Provincial Government (NWPG) to disclose information surrounding Maape’s extended sick leave.
“Two months after the start of his sick leave, there has been no update from his office besides the fact that he is recuperating at home. The DA sympathises with Maape and wishes him good health, however, North West residents need to know the extent of his sick leave.”
He said the recent calls for Maape’s removal are rather opportunistic, since they have long said that he is not fit for the job and should have been removed when he saw nothing wrong with the province’s killer potholes.
Sonakile said, if Maape is critically ill, the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL) should consider replacing him.
“The North West Cooperative Governance and Human Settlements MEC, Nono Maloyi is moonlighting as Premier and reporting to himself,” he said.
The Guardian 