By BAKANG MOKOTO

Some of disgruntled members of the African National Congress (ANC) embarked on a peaceful march in Vryburg on Friday. The march was led by the ANC Regional Secretary of the disbanded Regional Executive Committee (REC) in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati region, Gaolatlhwe Kgabo.

Kgabo said they marched because they are against the decision of the ANC Interim Provincial Committee (IPC) in the North West after it recalled troikas from five municipalities. He said even though they respect the authority and the hierarchy of the ANC, the decision of the IPC was malicious and factional.

“We have noted wild and far-reaching allegations that were peddled by the IPC coordinator, Hlomani Chauke as a reason for recalling our district troika. We were shocked that only Chauke and the IPC spokesperson, Kenny Morolong knows about the paralysis of the caucus, unbecoming conduct by the troika as well as wrongdoing by the district troika deserving punishment.

“There was never any report, allegation, or outcry by anyone in society or our communities that have lamented wrongdoing by the troika neither was there ever any paralysis or collapse of a caucus in our district municipality. We therefore assert beyond doubt that what Chauke and Morolong have been feeding our nation was a fabricated, machinated and choreographed spin devoid of truth and honesty,” he said.

Kgabo further said they have a respect for higher and senior structures of the ANC but that respect is more to the ANC constitution, its democratic principles and protocols and not respect for factional egos of individual leaders of the party who use the legitimate office to advance illegitimate endeavors. He added that the ANC is a constitutional democratic movement that is the custodian of the human rights enshrined in the national constitution of the Republic.

“There is no ANC that has ever punished anyone historically and even in recent times on the common purpose of misconduct or wrongdoing where the crime of one person becomes the crime of another by political association.

“In the culture of ANC and constitutional dispensation of our country, every person is trialed or held accountable for wrongdoing through substance and process. In the ANC, rule 25 is the route and for our common law transgression, the laws of the Republic is readily available, why does the ANC led by IPC recall and remove a person from office on the basis of allegations that were never tested by any competent tribunal, either internally within the ANC or externally by our Courts? asked Kgabo.

He said they respect the IPC as appointed by the ANC but they will not bow down and glorify its factional inclination to decision-making. Kgabo said they know as fact that it is not a coincidence that those troikas are not necessarily the worst in the province or their removal is a move to fight corruption.

“It is a common cause that all troikas removed are those whose mayors are aligned to the former PEC chairperson, Supra Mahumapelo. Their removal is intended at giving Chauke and his factional congregants’ authority and access to resources of this municipality in order to loot and fund their moribund factional program towards ANC conferences.

“We want to state in no uncertain terms that we have seen through the self-serving power smash and grab antics of the IPC. Chauke must face branches and communities of the district before gunning for the throat of a woman who occupies office at the behest of us ANC branches,” he said.

Meanwhile, the ANC Interim Provincial Working Committee had a consultative engagement on Friday after the IPC’s failed attempt to remove troikas. According to the reports, only six councillors have rendered their resignation letters thus far.

ANC IPC spokesperson, Kenny Morolong told Motsweding FM’s current affairs that the IPWC would collate and put together a report on what had transpired. He said the refusal of some deployees to resign is a sign of ill-discipline.

“ANC would look at some ways on how to approach the matter. We might send them to the Provincial Integrity Commission or use a motion of no confidence to oust them. We have only received six resignation letters out of 15 councillors,” he said.

The municipalities affected are Matlosana, Maquassi Hills, Mahikeng, Ditsobotla and Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality. Our source told us that the speaker and the chief whip at the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality are amongst those who tendered their resignation letters.

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By REGINALD KANYANE

North West Provincial government has recorded a total of R183.9 million spending on thus far. The provincial consolidated COVID-19 expenditure report was released by the North West Premier, Prof Job Mokgoro who is also the Provincial Coronavirus Command Council (PCCC) chairperson in Mahikeng today.

Mokgoro said that the expenditure for Provincial Government Departments amounts to R164 million, of which health department accounts for 51% of the total spending, followed by the department of education at 22%. He said these two departments, including social development which has spent around R16 million, account for 80% of the total Provincial Government Departments’ spending on COVID-19.

“The indication of our analysis report shows that 66.8% of service providers appointed to render COVID-19 related items to the province, were from within the province, and that 41% of them were female-managed businesses, while 35.3% were youth-led.

“Municipalities have recorded a total of R73.2 million in expenditure towards COVID-19, which was spent on procurement of various items including PPEs, decontamination and food relief,” he said.

Mokgoro further said as indicated before, they wish to reiterate the fact that the information on municipalities is presented as received from the municipalities and provincial treasury because the municipalities use a different system. He added that while the audit of the COVID-19 expenditure report is being finalized.

“Our preliminary analysis and general observation of primarily provincial departments financial reports is that, prescribed procurement processes were followed, and that our resolve to publish this information does not in any way suggest that there has been contravention of any regulation by either parties involved in these transactions.

“In instances where there are transgressions, the province will ensure that competent law enforcement agencies are engaged. The command council has once more, instructed that our procurement process must prioritize service providers from within the province, and that it must be in line with all applicable SCM regulations, in particular, the recent National Treasury Instruction Note 11 on COVID-19 procurement.  

“Basically, this means that our recovery rate has been on the rise. We are now standing at 89% recovery across the country. The announcement by the president on Wednesday that restrictions that were placed on international travel for business and leisure as well as the opening of borders are going to be lifted on 1 October also means that we, as a province, have to be ready for the influx of travellers from the SADC region,” said Mokgoro. 

He said the province is strategically located as a gateway into SADC and from SADC into South Africa. Mokgoro said healthcare workers will need to be on alert at all points of entry that link the province to the northern neighbours to stem any transnational spread of the pandemic. 

Furthermore, Mokgoro said they open up the tourism sector to both international and domestic tourists. He said this is aimed at the resuscitation of the economy and the improvement of livelihoods.

“We are confident that we have the necessary systems in place to curb any possible outbreak of the pandemic in the North West. Because of the devastating effects to the economy and livelihoods that came with the outbreak of COVID-19, I will also be announcing programmes aimed at ensuring a speedy resurgence of the provincial economy in weeks to come.

“Some of them will be aimed at bringing young people into the mainstream of economic activity and participation. As most of us are aware, the province has also since mid-August, registered a fluctuating, yet encouraging decrease in new positive cases, with the latest being at 192,” he said.

Mokgoro added that the province currently has a total of 240 COVID-19 patients admitted to hospitals and they wish them a speedy recovery. So far, the North West province has registered a total of 27 721 positive cases, of which 4 014 are still active. The recovery cases continue to rise, and are standing at 23 382.

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha says they have deployed tracers across all wards in the province in quest to fight against COVID-19 pandemic. 

Sambatha said his department will be working in partnership with the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) and the North West Community Safety and Transport Management.

“This programme we are launching is the transportation of tracers across the province. It’s a minimum of 95 taxis, for now. They are meant to spread across the province. They will be transporting tracers per ward, which is a minimum of 10 and it’s around a maximum of 40 in each ward.

“They will be transported on the basis of the door-to-door tracing and also on the basis of community awareness campaigns. They will then link those that are traced to quarantine and isolation facilities. It’s meant to ensure that the department responds vibrantly in a ward where people are,” he said.

Sambatha further said the initiative will limit the movement of people who are unaware of the dangers they are posing to themselves.

Meanwhile, the North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Sello Lehari said: “The partnership with the taxi industry will assist in the fight against COVID-19. We value the partnership that we are launching today with our taxi industry. This initiative will indeed assist the province in ending this pandemic.”

SANTACO’s provincial chairperson, Herman Sebegwe welcomed the programme. Sebegwe said the taxi sector is ready to provide transport as it is a requirement. He said it is expected from them as the industry and the initiative came at the right time.

“Most of our long-distance operators have been negatively affected by COVID-19 because even now they are not able to operate at full taxi capacity,” said Sebegwe.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) in NorthWest says it supports the decision of the ANC Interim Provincial Committee (IPC) to remove troikas at five municipalities.  

SANCO’s Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) held a media briefing in Mahikeng on Tuesday. SANCO provincial secretary, Packett Seaketso said they believe that the action was taken by the ANC IPC will go a long way in restoring confidence in the masses and fast-track delivery of quality basic services to the people. 

“We believe that this decision will improve financial management, deal decisively with fraud and corruption, ensure accountability, compliance, and consequence management for poor performance as well as to bring about capable political leadership and improved oversight,” he said. 

Seaketso also lambasted those who call for the disbandment of the ANC IPC. He defended the structure and said the ANC IPC like any other structure is not perfect.  

“It has its challenges many of which are deliberately manufactured through the convention and coordination of meetings organised in very dark corners some known past and current leaders. The many currents choreographed calls for the disbandment of the IPC has a similar hallmark of the recently choreographed national call for the removal of the President. 

“Those who make this call has a pre-Nasrec pre-occupation at the time when our people are confronted with poverty, unemployment, inequality, and the cancer of corruption and poor service delivery. It is clear by their continued call for the deportation of the IPC coordinator, Hlomani Chauke that we are dealing with people who have a Bophuthatswana hangover,” he said.  

Seaketso added that the ANC IPC has a task to supervise and guide all ANC caucuses and its deployees without fear or favour. He further said they are encouraged that the ANC IPC has been very relentless in the execution of this important task in the interest of the people who voted for no individual but the ANC.  

“As SANCO, we are alive to the reality that there is a concerted campaign to deface the work of the ANC IPC by making it difficult for it to operate. We are aware that there are people targeting certain ANC IPC members through smear campaign and character assassination. 

“SANCO and its allies will continue to support and collaborate with the ANC IPC as long as it carries its mandate without any equivocation. We also call on the ANC National Executive Committee not to be deluded by this proliferation of political choreography,” said Seaketso. 

He also launched a scathing attack on the ANCWL acting provincial secretary, Bitsa  Lenkopane. Seaketso said that the ANCWL in the North West has defined itself as a representative and advocate of a particular group of some fictionally anointed women. 

“When the North West Premier, Prof Job Mokgoro was about to pronounce a reshuffling, the same ANCWL celebrated despite the fact that several women were going to be affected by the reshuffling and being replaced by some ANCWL’s preferences such as Bitsa Lenkopane despite her horrendous criminal record.  

“We call on the ANC IPC to take disciplinary action against Lenkopane for agitating for mass defiance of structural resolutions. This group of the ANCWL is obsessed with defending five women at the expense of service delivery of thousands of women and children in our province,” he said.  

ANCWL acting provincial secretary, Bitsa Lenkopane said: “I must indicate that I am an acting ANCWL in the province and I am a product of a conference. I have branches that the ANCWL in the province is leading and respond to the needs of majority within the communities of the province on daily basis.  

“So, do not tell me about a structure sa mahamba ka ntlwana (makeshift structure), where everybody can wake up and say I am SANCO and I’m leading. However, what I am communicating here is a position of a legitimate structure that is the league of the ANC.  

“When you tell me about those people who even alleged that I am a convicted criminal and all that, this is personal and I will deal with them personally. It is not what they use to do with their handlers and masters to dent me thinking that they were killing me,” Lenkopane said.  

She also threatened to take legal action against those who alleged that she is a convicted criminal. Lenkopane concluded that SANCO provincial leadership that held a media briefing today is ‘bogus’ and she will call on the ‘legitimate’ SANCO structure to respond.

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By REGINALD KANYANE

North West MEC for Agriculture and Rural Development, Desbo Mohono said they donated 30 culled cattle to the deprived communities in order to advance government efforts to reduce poverty and hunger. 

Mohono outlined that the donation was done through the North West Social Development. The event was held at the Potchefstroom Agricultural College recently.

“We have handed over 30 culled cattle to the North West Department of Social Development (NWDSD) for them to donate meat to the needy communities in the province. The cattle, which formed part of the NWDARD’s livestock research and the development programme was mainly of Nguni and Afrikaner breed.

“The cattle will be slaughtered for final exploration before being handed over to the NWDSD. The NWDSD has identified centres such as orphanages, old age homes and homes hosting people with disabilities as well as those who care for vulnerable groups as beneficiaries of this good act,” she said.

Mohono said the meat will be handed over immediately after final data collection by the NWDARD in order to avoid risks associated with contamination. She further said her department’s food security programme is proud to have advanced efforts by donating meat to communities.

“We have undertaken some robust efforts in ensuring our people that they do not go to bed hungry. We did this, through our food security programme. I have led a departmental team to go to communities to plant vegetable gardens and fruit trees, gave chicken eggs, indigenous chickens, goats and many other inputs.

“This time, we are delighted as the department to donate meat. It says to us, we are advancing in our quest to ensure that we alleviate hunger. Our department’s research unit has confirmed that the cattle are fit and will also verify after slaughtering them that the meat is indeed fit for consumption,” said Mohono.

She added that her department realised its mandate of right to food and freedom charter clause which advocates for food to be plentiful for all. Mohono said the department is also seeking to enhance nutrition and quality of its life to the most vulnerable communities and endorse independence. 

“As the impacts of COVID-19 take its toll on many people, it was imperative for government to strengthen its efforts to empower communities. The demand for food has gone higher now and it is a challenge because we have seen that many people have lost jobs.

“Agriculture now needs to be productive by bringing new and efficient methods to ensure that people have food. Research is one critical component as it supports the department’s contribution to the development of animal agriculture. This includes the exploration of improving livestock production systems, management practices, animal health, and welfare as well as food quality and safety amongst others,” Mohono said.

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

North West MEC for Education, Wendy Matsemela lauded communities after more than 38 000 Grade 12 learners across the province begin with their preliminary examinations without any disruptions. Matsemela said her department regards the preliminary examinations as a major assessment tool for the Grade 12 learners and will play a vital role in the School-Based Assessment marks.

“The 2020 academic year was engulfed by long school breaks posed by Covid-19. The recess has reduced the contact time between learners and teachers. However, the long school breaks could not discourage learners from attending school and many schools have completed their syllabus.

“On behalf of the department, I would like to thank our communities for the smooth running of the examinations on the first day. I am optimistic that learners will finish their examinations without any disruptions. We have tightened all processes for the question papers not to be leaked, right from printing until to the school level,” she said.

Matsemela added that they have contracted the private securities to the storage point too. She also encouraged learners to continue to work very hard now that they are closer to the finishing line.

“Learners should ensure that they collect the marks of the preliminary examinations as they will be added in their results at the end of the year. The preliminary examinations will be concluded on 2 October 2020 with the writing of Economics P2.

“The Grade 12 learners will write their final examinations from 05 November 2020 until 15 December 2020 and marking will start on 03 January 2021,” said Matsemela.

Kebonang Secondary School Grade 12 learner, Kelebogile Motshidi (18) said: “I wrote well my first English paper although I was nervous. We have finished the syllabus in all our subjects and I believe that we will pass the examinations.”

Letsatsing Science High School principal, Paseka Molefe shared the same sentiments. Molefe said he is confident that learners would make them exceptionally proud this year irrespective of the Covid-19. 

He further said as teachers, they have been working on revision and that will assist learners to know on which areas need special focus. “, said Molefe.

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

North West Agriculture and Rural Development department employees at the Agric Centre offices embarked on protest on Monday. Most workers who are aligned to the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) alleged that the Agri Centre building has been flagged as falling short of safety standards by the Department of Labour.

Nehawu regional secretary, Zanele Law said the Agri Centre building was unkempt, with ablution facilities constantly breaking down. Law urged the department to address safety measures before workers can return to work.

“As Nehawu regional structure, we were called by our Mahikeng branch to intervene after they have been requested to come back to work at the Agric Centre offices even though they have been declared inhabitable by the Department of Labour.

“So, we urge the North West Agriculture and Rural Development department to rectify those hazardous methods first. It cannot expect our workers to return to work even though the building has been declared not usable by the Department of Labour,” he said.  

Meanwhile, the North West Agriculture and Rural Development department’s acting Head of Department (HoD), Dipepeneneng Serage said: “There are two challenges that I think we need to separate. All dilapidated buildings with all infrastructure and its designs are things that we cannot resolve in a short and medium-term.

“We have engaged the landlord as you know the government departments do rent these buildings from Public Works. So, as soon as the Public Works department gives us another building, we are packed and ready to go.”

Employees also raised the cleanliness at the offices and Serage said they busy addressing that matter and it will be resolved by next week. He said the challenge resulted that most of their house-keeping officials are either above the age of 60 or have comorbidities that make it impossible for them to report for duty.  

“The cleaning and safety of the building at the Agri-Centre have never been outsourced. It has always been done by internal staff but they cannot be able to come to work owing it to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“However, we are busy planning to outsource a private cleaning company to subdue the situation. We have issued a notice to the entire staff that their offices are in bad shape and do not have usable ablution to work from home. By the way, we have been doing this throughout COVID-19 lockdown levels,” said Serage.

He said only essential workers will be moved to corridors that are better and equitable.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

ANC Youth League (ANCYL) in the Ngaka Modiri Molema region says it will fight tooth and nail against the ANC North West Interim Provincial Committee’s decision to recall troikas at five municipalities.

ANCYL regional secretary, Wessels Morweng said ANC (IPC) coordinator, Hlomani Chauke’s decision was absurd and sow divisions within the party. Morweng also called on Chauke to elucidate on what prompted their decision.

“We would like to categorically state it clear without any ambiguity that the announcement made by Chauke on reshuffling of five troikas should be rejected with the contempt it deserves. We further want to caution Chauke that he cannot bring anarchy in the organisation, but if its anarchy that he wants, we are more than ready to give it in return.

“We heard with disappointment when Chauke alluded that he has made a scientific analysis in his decision. Now, if indeed he has made the scientific analysis, did he consider the Auditor General’s report?” said Morweng.

He further said the AG’s damning report describes that municipalities such as the Ngaka Modiri Molema District and Rustenburg Local Municipality is in shambles. Morweng said they were not shocked when those municipalities were not in Chauke’s list of reshuffling because he allegedly uses them as his cash cow.

“The money that is looted at the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality is used to finance the political agenda that intends to throttle comrades especially those who are in association with comrade Supra Mahumapelo. Our question of criteria that was used, still stand, and how you and your collective did arrive at this determination?” asked Morweng.

He alleged that the ANC interim structure in the province has failed dismally to carry out its mandate, which was to build the party and unite its branches. He said, instead the structure is obsessed with fiddling with the affairs of the municipalities in a quest to appoint their acquaintances who will agree to their agenda of looting them.

“Chauke, you know that these mayors were targeted because they failed to listen to your instructions to allow you and your acquaintances to access the municipal purse. Maybe let us assist you and tell the public why these mayors are being targeted.

“In Ditsobotla Local Municipality, you had issued an instruction that a particular service provider be appointed on three contracts for the financial management system.

“It must be known that the service provider was charging the municipality a whopping R26 million and another competitive bidder charging the municipality R10 million and was preferred against your ideal contractor,” he said.

Morweng said at the Mahikeng Local Municipality, some of ANC councillors have failed in their attempt to oust the mayor, but no disciplinary action was taken against them. He further said the ANC (IPC) failed to intervene because those councillors were aligned with Chauke’s factional leadership.

“This decision was informed by the N12 faction and was taken at a shebeen in Potchefstroom. The decision would have dire consequences looking at the fact that we are a few months before local government elections.

“The organisation should close ranks and redeem its integrity in a quest to acquire votes from the masses in 2021 Local elections. Chauke, please tell us why should we listen to your biased factional pronouncement, not so long ago you refused the North West Premier, Prof Job Mokgoro to reshuffle his cabinet,” said Morweng.

However, Chauke refuted allegations levelled against him. He said the decisions of the ANC are taken by the structures of the party including the ANCYL and ANCWL.

“What the ANCYL in Ngaka Modiri Molema District is doing is a sign of ill-discipline. There is no individual who votes outside the organisational decisions and advocates their own. So, we do not have independent ANCYL and ANCWL within the party. All these structures are integral components of the party.

“They can go to court to contest any decision and they will be given a chance to explain who they are too. Normally, we have internal structures within the party to address any grievances raised by disgruntled members. Anyone who has tangible evidence against corruption can approach the nearest police station and open a case,” he said.

Chauke said the ANC has taken a decision to fight corruption and will continue fearlessly to do so. He said anyone who is involved in any form of corruption needs to be jailed despite their positions within the party.

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in the North West says the removal of mayors in five municipalities is ‘too little too late’ because the the situation is already in a dire state. The ANC Interim Provincial Committee (IPC) in the province announced its decision to remove the municipalities’ troikas yesterday during a media briefing in Rustenburg.

The affected municipalities are Ditsobotla, Mahikeng, Maquassi Hills, Matlosana Local Municipalities, and the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality.

EFF provincial leader, Shakes Botswe said: “We believe that the removal of those mayors in municipalities was prompted by factional battles. According to the AG’s 2018/ 2019 financial report says the regression in audit outcomes completes a three-year downward trajectory in the province.

“AG’s report shows that nine municipalities received disclaimed opinions and eight received qualified opinions. The availability of documents or evidence to support financial activities remained a vast challenge across the municipalities, as evidenced by the number of repeats disclaimed opinions.”

Botswe said the municipalities in the province incurred irregular expenditure totalling R5 billion. He said mayors from all 22 municipalities need to be recalled because there is a lack of accountability by senior management, municipal managers, mayors, internal audit units, audit committees, municipal public accounts committees and councils.

North West University political analyst, Andre Duvenhage said 80 to 90% of all municipalities in South Africa are dysfunctional. Duvenhage said, for example, there are number of municipalities in the Free State province that cannot provide water and electricity.

“This has also spread to the Western Cape under the Democratic Alliance-led municipalities. Now, the North West is compared to the worst in South Africa. Municipalities in all districts are basically falling apart.

“One day I was flabbergasted after seeing a report claiming that JB Marks Local Municipality is the best municipality in North West. I’m staying here in Potchefstroom for the past 15 years and I must tell you that this is the worst-case scenario in the history of Potchefstroom,” he said.

Duvenhage added that, if the JB Marks Local Municipality is the symbol of the best, people should imagine what is going on in the worst. He said a Section 139 intervention from the provincial government to local government is a complete failure.

“Basically, we can say the local government in the North West is falling apart and is a complete decay. There is also an indication to me that the ANC as a political party may lose support. It may lose the local government structures in a number of districts in the province if it may be elections tomorrow.

“We know that we are heading for local government elections next year and things are not looking good for the ANC. Currently, there is political turmoil taking place in the province. The fact of the matter is that there is a long history of internal conflicts in the party since 1994,” said Duvenhage.

He said everything in South Africa is now politicised and that is a bad omen. Duvenhage further said normally in a democratic country, the state needs to be differentiated with civil society.

“We must have a state structure at one side, and civil society. The ideal was that the state must not interfere in civil society. In South Africa, in the case of the state we have a party that runs it and working with civil societies.

“So, there is also serious infighting in the province with Supra Mahumapelo’s group which is very dominant and we have the ANC IPC coordinator, Hlomani Chauke’s group as involved there as well,” he concludes.

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