By OBAKENG MAJE and REGINALD KANYANE

The newly-elected mayor of the Greater Taung Local Municipality, Oageng Seleke said he is adamant that he will not recuse himself from the mayoral position as the ANC caucus at the municipality continues to be marred with internal factional battles and infighting.

This comes after ANC Interim Regional Working Committee (IRWC) sent a letter to Seleke requesting him to recuse himself. Seleke was elected unopposed as the new mayor of the municipality following the removal of Kgosi Nnyoko Charles Motlhabane as a mayor.

Motlhabane was ousted through a motion of no confidence sponsored by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) last week.  

“No my chief, a true leader cannot just instruct you. A selfless leader will listen to the cause then addresses the matter. So, it means the IRWC is not interested in addressing the cause, but they are interested in pleasing some bitter comrades.

“We need to shelve the spirit of arrogance first. To them, they are not interested in solving municipal issues but in pleasing their own interest. This is a revolution, so let them decide but the revolution continues. One day people will be reminded of their deeds,” Seleke said.

However, the ANC IRWC coordinator in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati region, Walter Mabogola said in a letter: “The IRWC has noted with great concern that Nnyoko Motlhabane who is the ANC mayor of Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM) was removed without proper consultation with the party that deployed your good self.

“It was further noted that the council meeting, which was held in GTLM on 13 April 2021, has elected you as the new municipal mayor after you have accepted the nomination.”

Mabogola further said in their view, Seleke’s election was done without proper consultation with the ANC. So, he said they have instructed Seleke to tender his resignation as a mayor of the GTLM in writing within 48 hours.

Meanwhile, the ANC IPC coordinator, Kenny Morolong said they have noted with concern the decisions of both Madibeng and Taung Local Municipal Councils to remove both their mayors through motions of no confidence.

“We have also learned with utter shock that ANC deployees collaborated with the oppositions to remove both mayors of the ANC and did so without the organisation’s directive. These developments represent a continuation of a new and worrying tendency in our caucuses across the province.”

“This tendency seeks to erode the centrality of the ANC as the only centre of power. He said they would like to remind their deployees that the deployment and re-deployment of the mayors remain the exclusive domain of the IPC,” he said.

Morolong further said the IPC in due course will reflect in these developments. Following which it will explicitly expresses itself with respect to its decisions and the next course of action.

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By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

Factional battles inside the ANC continue to engulf municipalities across the North West province. The latest municipality to hackle the headlines is the Tswaing Local Municipality.

The municipality has recently declared nine posts of councillors vacant and has written to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) requesting it to remove the names of these councillors from the IEC list.

Estranged municipal speaker, Phemelo Lebelo said: “The municipal council took a resolution after seven ward councillors and two PR councillors failed to attend council meetings in numerous times.

“These councillors have infringed their code of conduct. So, the council establish a special committee to investigate why these councillors failed to attend, but they did not cooperate.”

Lebelo further said the special committee submitted its recommendations to the council. She added that the recommendations were also submitted to the North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Mmoloki Cwaile.

“Cwaile failed to respond to our requisition regarding this matter and the council was forced to implement option 2 by suspending them and withheld their three months salaries.

“Unfortunately, these councillors continued to be rebellious and failed to attend council meetings afterwards. This forced the council to remove them from their posts and write to the IEC declaring their posts vacant,” said Lebelo.

However, one of these councillors, Sam Letlakane refuted these allegations. Letlakane said on 29 June 2020, the council agreed to pass a motion of no confidence against the Speaker, Chief Whip and the Mayor.

“Lebelo went to court and interdicted the decision. Unfortunately, the court ruled in their favour and from that time, she conducted all council meetings visually, Lebelo frustrated us by not providing us with correct links, sometimes we will get the link for the meetings without any agenda.

“We made numerous attempts to urge the speaker to convene a council meeting and add motion of no confidence in the agenda. We eventually took the matter to court for intervention. Lebelo told the court that she will adhere to our request till now,” he said.

Defiant Letlakane added that they remain councillors at the municipality and the only person who is vested with powers to remove them from the IEC lists is the MEC.

Meanwhile, the Chairperson of the IEC in North West, Dr Tumelontle Thiba responded to the municipality’s letter.

“We would like to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 9^th April 2021 regarding the declaration of nine vacancies in the Tswaing Local Municipality. The attached do not indicate the decision of the MEC in accordance with the provision of the Municipal Systems Act, 2000, Schedule 1 particularly items 14.2, 14.3, 14.4 and 14.6.

“Please read the attached extracts of the Schedule and if needs be, respond accordingly,” Thiba said.

Democratic Alliance (DA) caucus leader, Kagiso Mangwejane said: “We would like to disassociate ourselves from all ANC political infights. The issue of removing nine councillors by the speaker using the council resolutions is not the proper way.

“According to the legislation, the must be a special committee established to investigate allegations levelled against the councillors. All recommendations need to be submitted to the council and the MEC. The only person with the prerogative to decide on the sanctions against the councillors is the MEC, not the Speaker.”

Cwaile said he is still applying his mind around the matter and he will respond afterwards.

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

A 32-YEAR-OLD man is expected to appear at Taung Magistrate’s Court for murder. Tshepo Lenyai from Manthe village, in Taung allegedly stabbed Kamogelo Lekaota (18) at a local tavern called Disoufeng a week ago during Easter weekend.

North West police spokesperson, Capt Sam Tselanyane said the atrocity took place at around 3:30am. Tselanyane said it is alleged that the duo was fighting over alcohol.

“Taung police received a call from the Manthe clinic at around 3:30am. The police rushed to the scene and found Lekaota’s lifeless body in a pool of blood with stabbing wounds. He was stabbed on the left side of his chest.

“According to information, the deceased was ferried to the clinic for medical attention, but he succumbed to his injuries. A 32-year-old man was arrested and is expected to appear at Taung Magistrate’s Court for a formal bail application,” he said.

Lenyai was remanded in custody during his first appearance to give police more time to investigate. He is expected to apply for bail today.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

Gloves are off within the ANC caucus at the Greater Taung Local Municipality council. This comes after the removal of the municipal mayor, Kgosi Nnyoko Charles Motlhabane from his mayoral position through a motion of no confidence.

Motlhabane was ousted from his mayoral position by the Economic Freedom Fighters’ sponsored motion during a virtual special council meeting on Tuesday. Now, the South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco) in the North West is ‘hopping mad’ and says municipal speaker, Ebusang Tladi must fall on his own ‘dagger.’   

It is alleged that a seditious Tladi who is believed to be a staunch member of Mahumapelo and Radical Economic Transformation (RET) forces, connived with the EFF to oust Motlhabane from his position.

Sanco provincial secretary, James Gadinabokao described Tladi as a ‘defector’ and said it is high time to derail him and his cronies from their rails before they destroy the ANC. 

Gadinabokao said they will approach the court to seek legal ramification in quest of restoring Motlhabane’s good image and integrity.

“The removal of Motlhabane by the EFF motion of no confidence supported by Tladi is unlawful, unprocedural, illegal and unethical. But, we are aware as SANCO that Supra Mahumapelo is fully behind this because last weekend he had a meeting with some of the ANC councillors who plotted against Motlhabane,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA) councillor, Lesego Maila said: “Motlhabane’s removal is yet another example of the ANC’s factional and internal battles playing themselves out at the expense of residents. The DA tried to raise concerns regarding this procedure and the legal ramification that may follow if proper steps are not followed, but our concerns were ignored by the Speaker.

“Tladi informed councillors that according to Section 28 of the Municipal Structure’s Act, if a motion is not opposed then it can be passed without being debated or discussed.”

ANC councillor, Crespo Menyatso also questioned the method used by Mahumapelo’s ‘cheerleader’ to conduct the council meeting. Menyatso vented his views on his Facebook page.

“In terms of the GTLM council rules of orders (rule 28.2), it was illegal for the Speaker to allow the EFF’s motion of no confidence against the mayor of GTLM to be discussed in today’s council meeting.

“Tladi denied councillors of the ANC to debate in opposing the motion of minority party.         He removed everyone who stood to oppose the so-called motion of no confidence against the mayor from the special council meeting that was held virtually today,” he said.

Menyatso further said clearly, Tladi is the one who removed Motlhabane as the mayor, not the EFF. He added that the motion was sponsored by the Speaker and his group.

“The good man was removed but…….”

However, the egotistical Tladi refuted the allegations. He said there is nowhere he indicated Section 28 of the Municipal Structure’s Act.

“I have said in terms of Section 28.7 of rule of orders, if the motion is not opposed, it just goes as it is. It is not me, but the rules of orders adopted by the same councillors. So, this is what exactly happened regarding the EFF motion.

“I can attest that the ANC including the DA did not oppose the motion. Both parties did not submit any intentions to oppose. In terms of procedure of the council, councillors who have any intentions to oppose after receiving the agenda should submit their speaking lists to the Speaker through their Chief Whips to be allowed to speak,” Tladi said.

He said there was no way he could allow councillors to speak on the motion that they did not oppose. Tladi also said it is not true that the MPAC of the municipality is dysfunctional.

“The MPAC of the municipality is functional and it has been applauded by the National Portfolio Committee on Local Government. We are the only MPAC that was recognised across the Dr Ruth Mompati District Municipality.

“Menyatso concurred that he did not submit his intention to oppose, but requested me to indulge on that matter. However, I refused because he did not submit his intentions to oppose,” said Tladi.

He also lambasted Gadinabokao and regarded him as a loose cannon. Tladi denied meeting with Mahumapelo too.

“If Mahumapelo was in Taung and met with ANC councillors, he is a member of the ruling party. But to clear the matter, if Mahumapelo wants to meet me, no one will prohibit me to do so.

“However, I am not aware of any meeting between Mahumapelo and some ANC councillors,” he said.

ANC Interim Provincial Committee (IPC) spokesperson in the North West, Kenny Morolong said: “Well, we have noted with concern the decisions of both Madibeng and Taung Local Municipal Councils to remove both their mayors through motions of no confidence.

“We have also learnt with utter shock that ANC deployees collaborated with the oppositions to remove both mayors of the ANC and did so without the organisation’s directive. These developments represent a continuation of a new and worrying tendency in our caucuses across the province.”

Morolong said this tendency seeks to erode the centrality of the ANC as the only centre of power. He said they would like to remind their deployees that the deployment and re-deployment of the mayors remains the exclusive domain of the IPC.

“So, the IPC in due course will reflect in these developments. Following which it will explicitly expresses itself with respect to its decisions and the next course of action,” he said.

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By OBAKENG MAJE

A 44-YEAR-OLD man, who allegedly burned his nephew to death, is set to do a formal bail application at the Taung Magistrate’s Court today. Pilane Lepile from Nommer 1 village in Taung was arrested by the Taung police last week Sunday in connection with murder.  

North West police spokesperson, Capt Sam Tselanyane said Lepile was nabbed after he allegedly burning his nephew, Neo Salagae (37) to death.

“The atrocity took place at Nommer 1 village in Taung at around 5am. According to information, Lepile arrived at his house in the early hours of the morning where he allegedly heard a noise in the house and went to investigate.

“He allegedly found Salagae in the bedroom holding his laptop. It is alleged that a fight ensued between the two and Lepile hit Salagae with a pick handle wood lasher and burnt him to death with petrol afterward,” Tselanyane said.

He said Lepile went to the Taung Police Station to report the matter. Tselanyane added that the police found Salagae already dead at the scene and a murder case was opened.

“Lepile was charged with murder and he appeared at Taung Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. However, he was remanded in custody until 13 April 2021 for a formal bail application,” he said.

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By BAKANG MOKOTO

A 53-YEAR-OLD man has been remanded in custody by the Ventersdorp Magistrate’s Court on Monday. North West police spokesperson, Capt Sam Tselanyane said Jonas Rabaitsile Matshane was arrested for allegedly killing his ex-girlfriend’s boyfriend, Dan Moleko Radebe (49).

Tselanyane said the atrocity took place on 27 March 2021 on Buffelsvlei farm just outside Ventersdorp.

“On the day of the incident, Radebe was allegedly seen by residents of the farm on his way to the farm, but he had never arrived. It is further alleged that the last person who was seen leaving the farm on the day of the incident and at approximately time that Radebe was seen, is Matshane.

“Following the mysterious disappearance, Radebe’s girlfriend went to file a missing person’s report at the Ventersdorp Police Station. On 28 March 2021, Matshane was allegedly spotted coming from the direction of wheat fields holding a spade,” he said.

Tselanyane said on 30 March 2021, Radebe’s lifeless body was discovered in a shallow grave in the wheat fields not far from farm workers’ houses. He added that Matshane allegedly left for Klerksdorp on 29 March 2021 and never returned.

“A search for Matshane ensued and on 30 March 2021, he handed himself over to the police in Klerksdorp. He got detained and transported back to Ventersdorp. Matshane was then charged with murder and defeating the ends of justice,” said Tselanyane.

The matter was postponed to 29 April 2021 for further investigation.

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