By OBAKENG MAJE
10 December 2024- The embattled Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) mayor, Tumisang Gaoraelwe has described assertions that he refuses to resign as absurd and hogwash. Few months ago, the ANC in North West, took a decision to recall Naledi Local Municipality, mayor, Clifton Groep, Kagisano-Molopo Local Municipality mayor, Tshireletso Marabutse and the Greater Local Municipality, Tumisang Gaoraelwe.
The party said it was guided by the assessment report that was conducted against their deployees across all 18 municipalities.
Gaoraelwe told www.sabcnews.comthat the ANC has taken a decision to redeploy them, but this is an internal process. He further said the process has not been effective.
“Currently, there have not been any redeployment or resignation yet. So, I’m still waiting for the ANC to deal with the redeployment issue. You will remember that the party is also guided by the cadre deployment policy that was derived from the constitution of the ANC.
“To answer your question directly, I’m still the mayor of the Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM). There was no negligence in my vehicle accidents. What you need to understand is that, even though I have a hired driver, according to the 2022 SALGA Mayoral Book, there is nothing wrong, if I drive myself,” said Gaoraelwe.
He added that there is also nothing wrong if his wife drives the state vehicle. Gaoraelwe said he did not write that mayoral handbook and it says there is nothing wrong even if his uncle drives the car.
Meanwhile, the ANC spokesperson, Tumelo Maruping said the matter is internal for now, and they will inform the public when they complete the process.
“We never discussed the details of their redeployment. Well, it is not true that they are refusing to resign. They never said they refuse to resign, but said they are still waiting for ANC internal processes to finalise this matter.
“As soon as that is done, the ANC will communicate with them as to when to resign. We cannot discuss redeployment issues with the media. It is still an internal process, but that decision is still upheld,” he said.
Maruping said the redeployment is a privilege within the ANC to start with. He said it was not premature to recall these mayors, however, that was done in line with the assessment process that was conducted by the party.
“The assessment report has nothing to do with redeployment. No one joins the ANC in expectation of material gain and that’s exactly what the oath of ANC says. They were recalled from their positions due to the assessment report. There were concerns from communities and that is why they were recalled.
The Guardian 