Picture: Former North West Provincial Legislature’s deputy speaker, Viola Motsumi/Supplied
By BAKANG MOKOTO
The former North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL) deputy speaker, Viola Motsumi has been appointed as the new North West MEC for Education. This comes after the former MEC for Education, Wendy Matsemela rendered her resignation.
The North West Premier, Bushy Maape said: “I wish to take this opportunity to inform the people of this province of my decision in terms of Section 132 (2) of the Constitution of the Republic to effect changes in the composition of the Provincial Executive Council by recalling Wendy Matsemela from her position as Member of Executive responsible for Education, and in her position, I appoint, Viola Motsumi as the new MEC for Education.
“I wish to take this opportunity to thank Matsemela for her contribution during her tenure as MEC for Education and for other portfolios she held in the Executive Council. I congratulate the new MEC and wish her all of the best as she assumes her career as a Member of the Executive Council.”
North West MEC for Education, Wendy Matsemela tabled a departmental budget at the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL) through a virtual on Tuesday. However, over R18 billion departmetal budget presentation was in turmoil after the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) and the Democratic Alliance (DA) walked out of that seating after accusing the NWPL Speaker, Sussana Dantjie of contravention of the rules.
EFF provincial chairperson, Shakes Botswe said they have noted with concern the demagogic and desperate decision by Dantjie to allow the tabling of a budget vote that did not follow due processes of adoption.
Botswe said on the 25 May 2021, Dantjie convened a house seating that had to debate four budgets from different departments in the province.
“On the eve of the seating, the legislature circulated an order paper that only had two budget votes. The reasoning behind the disregard for the others was that, the respective committee of those two departments had not adopted the Annual Performance Plans (APP).
“It is worth noting that even the two budgets votes that were tabled for debates had not been adopted by a committee. The Chairperson of the Committee, Kabelo Matoboge signed and submitted the APP to the legislature under a disguise that the committee had adopted the budget vote,” he said.
Botswe further said the EFF in the legislature raised this matter with Dantjie before the commencement of the debate for the budget vote. He added that all other opposition parties raised the same concern with Dantjie who acknowledged their concerns and stated that she will investigate the matter.
“Dantjie being delinquent, she further went on and ruled that the debate must continue irrespective of the concerns raised by the MPLs. All opposition parties in the legislature placed it on record that they will not validate and legitimize an unlawful process to take place as the legislature cannot debate a budget vote that was not adopted by the committee,” said Botswe.
He alleged that Mataboge was ‘deliberately’ absent for this particular seating as he knew that his constitutional delinquency and thuggery would be exposed. He said they call on Dantjie to desist from her demagogic tendencies in a quest to lobby support for herself in the party politics of the ANC by compromising the decorum of the legislature.
The DA provincial Chief Whip, Freddy Sonakile shared the same sentiments. Sonakile said despite the strong objections, Dantjie played her usual bulldoze tactic by ignoring all legislative processes and irregularly proceeding with the budget votes without blinking an eye.
“The Framework for Strategic and Annual Performance Plans (APP) as outlined by National Treasury, clearly stipulates the processes that APPs have to undergo.
“The Rules of the House further make it clear that there needs to be a quorum before any matter is adopted or rejected by a Portfolio Committee, a rule that the ANC Speaker and Chief Whip, Paul Sebegoe, have seemingly forgotten today,” he said.
Sonakile alleges that the Portfolio Committee on Education, Arts, Culture, Sports and Recreation did not quorate and could therefore not adopt the APPs of the respective departments. He said Dantjie’s decision to ignore this contravention of due processes not only emphasises her thirst for lawlessness, but also underscores her ineptitude to accomplish proper oversight of government action as per the legislature’s mandate.
“This is precisely why the DA submitted a motion of no confidence against her in February 2021, which she flatly refuses to table. Dantjie is not fit for the important position that she holds and we will seek legal advice to take further action against her,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dantjie told the seating that she will investigate these allegations and will revert to them afterward.
Picture: North West MEC for COGHSTA, Mmoloki Cwaile
By BAKANG MOKOTO
North West MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlement, and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Mmoloki Cwaile said his department is committed to redressing and restore dignity in the lives of poor communities in the North West.
Cwaile made these commitments during the roundtable discussion with Newszroom Afrika TV channel on Tuesday.
“Our department will continue to build houses according to the needs of beneficiaries, making examples of people living with disabilities and other vulnerable groups. We are mindful of the different circumstances our beneficiaries are faced with. So, as a department, we conduct due diligence in every project we engage in.
“Quality assurance and accountability form part of our contract with service providers.
We are also enrolled with the National Housing Builders Regulatory Council, which ensures quality and compliance within the industry,” he said.
Cwaile further said his department is committed to unblock blocked projects and to make sure that contractors that left shoddy work in their projects are engaged to rectify their mistakes. He added that the department would make sure that it blacklists contractors who continue to do substandard work or leave projects incomplete.
“We have a contract with the people of the North West. We committed to building houses for them, which will bring and restore their dignity. We are selfless in approach and committed to housing our people in habitable homes with basic amenities,” said Cwaile.
He said there are many other projects his department is planning to embark on. Cwaile further said that issues such as mining towns, farming houses, land acquisition, capacity building for both internal and external houses will be at the helm of departmental agenda this financial year.
“Many families are continuing to be evicted in most farms within the province and government will not fold its arms and watch people left homeless. The department is in the process of developing township across the province which mostly will be in mining towns.
“Our main target will be Marikana, where immediate intervention is needed. The department is also intending to ensure that in every development, there are bulk services, which will ensure that when people occupy those houses, services will be up and running,” he said.
Cwaile said the department will further strengthen relations with local and district municipalities to ensure that services are delivered to local communities. He said they have an obligation to bring development in the 623 villages, 12 towns and 23 townships in the province.
“We do all this because we are mandated by the constitution and the outcome of the National Development Plan (NDP). Our young democracy is now 27 years-old in this year and the achievements of the government have managed to change the lives of the people of our country for the better,” concluded Cwaile.
Meanwhile, many housing projects were abandoned across the province and were left incomplete. Recently, the department was under fire for returning unused R100 million to the National Treasury in 2019/2020 financial year.
Picture: Former ANC North West Chairperson, Supra Mahumapelo
By OBAKENG MAJE
A group of disgruntled African National Congress (ANC) members in the North West continue to lash out at the ANC Interim Provincial Committee (IPC). This comes after the temporary suspension of the former North West Premier and ANC Provincial Chairperson, Supra Mahumapelo’s membership.
The group picketed outside the ANC provincial headquarters in Mahikeng on Thursday. They accused the IPC of ‘sowing divisions’ and ‘skewed’ towards its decision on suspending Mahumapelo.
Mahumapelo was suspended last week for allegedly sowing divisions and undermining the ANC IPC. It is alleged that Mahumapelo organised parallel ANC campaigns and instructed the embattled mayor of JB Marks Local Municipality, Kgotso Khumalo not to ‘step aside’ as per instruction by the IPC.
A representative from the ANC branches in Mamusa Sub Region, Papa Jood said: “We want to make it clear that, the purported suspension of our leader has nothing to do with being ill-discipline, but it is clear that, this matter has everything to do with the planned Regional Conferences, Provincial Conference, National General Council and ultimately the 55th National Conference that is planned to sit as per the constitutional requirements of the ANC.
“Mahumapelo’s active membership in the ANC North West gives these lapsed IPC leaders a headache as it is inevitable that he will lead this province again as the Chairperson of the ANC. As part of the branches in this province, we have noted this unconstitutional suspension as an illicit activity, laughable and a joke to our organisational constitution.”
Jood further said they have always sustained that since the unlawful disbandment of the legitimate ANC Provincial Executive Committee led by Mahumapelo, the CR 17 camp is out to purge those that do not tow the same line with them.
“We are of an understanding that our leader, Mahumapelo, is purged for his participation at the by-elections at Mareetsane, in which his contribution made the ANC come out victorious in those elections.
“Secondly, it is alleged that Mahumapelo has influenced another member of the ANC to not step aside as per the IPC instruction. We are still awaiting the finalisation on the lists and 30 days issue from the ANC National Executive Committee (NEC), but as expected, the champions of purging in a form of an unconstitutional IPC has already jumped the gun on the issue of Khumalo,” said Jood.
He alleged that the ANC IPC enjoys predetermining things to their undue favour and this behaviour expose its weaknesses of being a reactionary structure that always jumps unnecessarily in the interest of eliminating those that are opposed to their leadership interests in the coming conferences.
He said they view all these unlawful efforts as just a concoction to ensure that their antagonist, Mahumapelo does not participate in all organisational activities including being elected in the upcoming conferences.
Jood said actually, the IPC should start by suspending themselves for not adhering to the NEC decision of 2018 that branches should not be disbanded or be converted.
ANCYL regional secretary in Ngaka Modiri Molema, Wessels Morweng shared the same sentiments. Morweng said the IPC has for the longest time seriously abused its position.
“One can say they are constitutional delinquents because even these charges they levelled against Mahumapelo are baseless as far as the ANC constitution is concerned.
“What is concerning is that there is quite a number of comrades that are been charged for inviting Mahumapelo to deliver lectures on various topics. Last time I checked, they were 23 and this is the abuse of the ANC constitution,” he said.
Morweng further said they will be heading to the South Gauteng High Court next week to challenge the NEC to reinstate the ANC PEC in the province as per court ruling. In 2018, the ANC NEC disbanded the PEC, but the court ruled that the disbandment was unlawful and unconstitutional.
However, ANC IPC coordinator, Hlomani Chauke said Mahumapelo has committed a ‘series of transgressions’ that undermined the ANC in the province.
“We can confirm that the ANC IPC last week reflected on the conduct of Mahumapelo. So, the IPWC consequently resolved to place Mahumapelo’s membership on temporary suspension pending the finalisation of the disciplinary process.
“This is subsequent of series of transgressions, Mahumapelo committed against the ANC in the North West province. We can confirm that Mahumapelo was invited to the ANC IPWC with a view of explaining the recent public remarks that he made which sow divisions within the ANC in the province,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mahumapelo and other four ANC members whose memberships were suspended are expected to address the media at Delareyville on Sunday at 1pm. Mahumapelo’s disciplinary hearing will commence on 26 and 27 April 2021 after been adjourned on Thursday.
ANC Interim Provincial Committee (IPC) in the North West has temporarily suspended the membership of the former North West Premier and ANC provincial chairperson, Supra Mahumapelo on Wednesday.
ANC IPC coordinator, Hlomani Chauke said Mahumapelo has committed a ‘series of transgressions’ that undermined the ANC in the province.
“We can confirm that the ANC IPC last week reflected on the conduct of Mahumapelo. So, the IPWC consequently resolved to place Mahumapelo’s membership on temporary suspension pending the finalisation of the disciplinary process.
“This is subsequent of series of transgressions, Mahumapelo committed against the ANC in the North West province. We can confirm that Mahumapelo was invited to the ANC IPWC with a view of explaining the recent public remarks that he made which sow divisions within the ANC in the province,” he said.
Chauke further said, however, Mahumapelo ‘chose’ not to meet with the IPC. It is alleged that Mahumapelo publicly attacked the IPC and organised parallel ANC campaigns across the province. Mahumapelo was not available for comment before publishing this article.
Meanwhile, some disgruntled ANC members across four regions signed a petition calling for the removal of the ANC IPC amongst others. ANC member in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda region, Lopang Rothman said: “This petition is brought in terms of Rule 5 of the ANC Constitution where it states in Rule 5.1.2 that a member is entitled to receive and impart information on all aspects of ANC policy and activities.
“In Rule 5.1.3, it says that a member is entitled to offer constructive criticism of any member, official, policy programme, or activity of the ANC within its structures.”
Rothman further said in Rule 5.2.2 that a member is entitled to take all necessary steps to understand and carry out the aims, policies and programmes of the ANC. He added that after noting Rules 12.1 and 12.2, they have made consistent communication with the ANC NEC, but they could satisfy themselves that the ANC NEC has failed in its mandate of implementing conference resolutions (54th ANC Nasrec Conference).
“The ANC NEC disregarded the court orders, thus failing to comply with Rule 12.2.4 of the ANC constitution by establishing the IPC. The IPC is now 19 months in office since its establishment in July 2019.
“As members of the ANC in good standing, we have raised a concern on the lapse of IPC’s term of office, where they are currently operating without any mandate. The ANC NEC has now started a trend of undermining constitutional powers of other ANC office bearers and or other ANC NEC members,” said Rothman.
He said this confuses the ANC members, and the society by misrepresenting ANC processes as indicated in Rule 16.6.1 which state that the ANC Secretary-General shall communicate the decisions of all national structures of the ANC on behalf of the NEC.
Rothman said since its election in December 2017, the ANC NEC has contravened Rule 10.6 of the ANC constitution, thus failing to convene an NGC.
“This happened for the first time post the liberation struggle of our history, failing to afford ANC members and its structures to audit the ANC’s performance at a mid-term review,” he said.
It’s all systems go for the ANC North West to elect its new leadership. This comes after the ANC Interim Provincial Committee (IPC) co-coordinator, Hlomani Chauke announced during a media briefing in Rustenburg on Sunday that they have adopted a revised roadmap towards the ANC North West Provincial Conference.
The ANC in the province experienced political turmoil three years ago and that led to the disbandment of the Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) under the stewardship of Supra Mahumumapelo who was the provincial chairperson and also served as the North West Premier at the time amid malfeasance allegations.
The ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) took a decision to disband the structure, however, Mahumapelo challenged that decision at The South Gauteng High Court. The High Court subsequently ruled in Mahumapelo’s favour saying the decision to disband the PEC was unlawful.
Now, Chauke said the roadmap outlines key tasks and activities to be executed as part of the preparations for the provincial conference.
“These tasks include the appointment of Interim Branch Committees (IBC’s), political support to Interim Regional Committees (IRC’s), full implementation of the New Online Membership System, training of branches on new systems, and guidelines for conferences.
“It also includes the appointment of Scanning Agents for purposes of implementing the
Electronic Evidence of Attendance System (EAS) at all branch meetings, convening of preparatory Branch General Meetings (BGM’s), arranging for elective Biennial Branch
General Meetings (BBGM)/ Branch Conferences, Induction of Branches and implementation of Branch Program of Actions,” he said.
Chauke further said in the last four days, they have conducted the regional briefing sessions with all their IRC’s on conference preparations and their regions are now finalizing roadmaps towards regional conferences. He said these regional roadmaps will give an indication of the possible dates for respective regional conferences.
“Over this long weekend, we are convening meetings with representatives from all our Interim Branch Committee (IBC’s). From 20 March until 21 March 2021, we are meeting our IBC’s in Dr Kenneth Kaunda and Dr Ruth Mompati Regions whilst Bojanala is planned for 21 March until 22 March 2021.
“The session with IBC’s in Ngaka Modiri Molema is planned for 22 March
2021. The aim of these sessions is to, amongst others, to inform IBC/BEC Members about the adopted road map to the provincial conference, present the branch membership statistics and start to work on reconciliation of membership statistics,” he said.
Chauke added that sessions include familiarizing IBC/BEC members with guidelines on branch/regional/provincial conferences, receive an update on the status of the IBC/BEC and where necessary propose improvements,” said Chauke.
He said they will also provide training for branch co-ordinators and Scanning Agents to ensure that branch coordinators can access New Online Membership system and be able to print membership lists and develop plans to encourage members to check their membership status in the membership list.
Chauke said they will also ensure that they start a process of resolving membership challenges such as members in good standing but not on the list that are captured, develop branch (IBC/BGM/BBGM) programme with the IBC and dates for branch members meetings.
“Based on the reports received yesterday from the two regions (Dr Kenneth Kaunda and Dr Ruth Mompati Regions), we are satisfied that ANC members in the North West are determined to work towards a successful and historically significant provincial conference.
“We will be publicizing the dates and venues of all Branch General Meetings scheduled to take place in the next two weeks and we urge all ANC Members to fully participate at these sessions. All these activities and key tasks once they are successfully implemented and with lockdown restrictions slightly relaxed, we plan to convene the ANC North West Provincial Conference on the 25th – 27th June 2021,” said Chauke.
Picture: North West Provincial Legislature speaker, Sussana Dantjie
By REGINALD KANYANE
In an unprecedented move, the Democratic Alliance (DA) in North West has tabled a motion of no confidence against the North West Provincial Legislature Speaker, Sussana Dantjie, and her Deputy, Viola Motsumi.
According to the DA’s provincial Chief Whip, Freddy Sonakile, the Legislature has been dwindling with ‘crisis after crisis’ under Dantjie’ stewardship.
“The DA has been speaking out against the allegations of misconduct of the Speaker and the Senior Management of the legislature and laid charges with the Hawks and Public Protector – all at advanced investigation stages – in an attempt to bring them to account.
“Now, as per previous media statements released on the subject, the DA has decided to take up the fight to restore the integrity of the Legislature as an oversight body. The Speaker, in terms of legislation and in particular the Financial Management of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures Act (FMPPLA), is the Executive Authority and is responsible for the sound financial management of the Legislature – a duty she has been failing at dismally,” said Sonakile.
He further said Dantjie responded to the crises that the institution finds itself in by blatantly refusing to account when summoned to appear before the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA). Sonakile added that Dantjie’s actions show nothing, but contempt for the hard-earned democracy, the Constitution, the Legislature, and the people of North West.
“The recent resignation of the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Oversight of the NWPL, De Wet Nel, who is responsible to oversee the work of the Speaker, is the last straw. His reasons for resigning are centred on the Speaker’s disregard for law and order.
“The office of the Deputy Speaker has been non-existent. Viola Motsumi has been a missing link in occupying space that her title carries. She turned a blind eye to the ongoing allegations of misconduct, rendering her office redundant and only active at the beck and call of the Speaker,” he said.
Sonakile said Motsumi also chairs two sub-committees called Members Interest and Disciplinary Committee, but it has been nothing but a talk shop while Disciplinary Committee has not sat once since 2019, despite numerous incidents (be it during sittings or Committees) that warranted disciplinary action.
Meanwhile, North West Provincial Legislature spokesperson in the Office of the Speaker, Tebogo Chaane said he will respond to the media later on as he still has to gather facts.
Picture: North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha
By STAFF REPORTER
North West MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha is in ‘hot water’ after he allegedly made a slanderous statement against one of the Members of the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL).
Sambatha was seen on a video footage accusing an MPL of anarchy, while addressing the media at the Mmabatho Medical Depot recently where they raided the place and found unpaid invoices worth millions.
Now, things have taken a wrong direction after the Chair of NWPL Standing Committee on Legislative Review and House Resolutions Implementation, Mmoloki Cwaile registered a notice of contravention of house rules on proceedings of matters regarding ethics, integrity and members interests on and around public utterances against Sambatha.
According to the letter that is in Taung DailyNews’ possession, Cwaile requests for a swift redress from the NWPL speaker, Sussana Dantjie in terms of the 9th edition of the NWPL Standing Rules as adopted on 26 March 2019.
“Sambatha has made unprecedented, demeaning, reckless, irrational, and prejudicial statement, on and around 12 August 2020 impairing the dignity of the members and the integrity of the legislature using media statement and video recordings.
“He leveled allegations against both member/s of the legislature and or legislature itself in contravention of the House Standing Rules governing the conduct of the members of the House with no regard to the decorum and regulatory faculty of discipline prescribed by the Standing Rules of the House,” he said.
Cwaile said Sambatha alleged that member or members of the legislature is or are whistle-blower/s on matters of allegations of unprecedented rates of corruption and malfeasance at the Department of Health, where he presided as Executive Authority (AO). He alleged that Sambatha failed to engage or respond to the ever-growing allegations of corruption or challenges facing his department that do not seem to get out of the sight of the media or unknown whistle-blowers.
“Sambatha consciously chose to launch attacks on the integrity of the legislature and this is a serious allegation impacting negatively on the integrity of the legislature as per interpretation of the Standing Rules. So, we requested the Speaker to invoke Chapter 18 on the House Standing Rules on and about Ethics, Privilege, and Contempt.
“The Speaker must appoint an Ad-hoc Committee to make an inquiry on the allegation/s regarding my submissions on an unbecoming conduct of Sambatha. It is unfortunate that he holds the view that MPL’s are in the business of making allegations in the form of whistle-blowing outside of their capacity,” said Cwaile.
He said MPLs constitutionally enjoy so much powers, privileges, and immunities to extend that even if evidentiary factual proof does not exist, they are able to make allegations on any matter and seek investigations and or accountability on them or responses to deal with them. Cwaile further said one wonders if Sambatha has ‘selective amnesia’ to extend that with no reason he now sees MPLs as weak, fearful public sector employees when they are honoured with bigger and powerful responsibilities.
This cannot be ignorance, but maybe due to reckless political gymnastics not helpful to serve delivery nor decorum of the house, says Cwaile.
Meanwhile, Sambatha said they have a permanent circulation of accusations which most of them were lies. He said whistle-blower circulated a letter that saying the administrator has an interest and that is why the management was suspended at the medical store.
“Mr Anonymous/whistle-blower is not going to write a letter tomorrow and he knows while people don’t have medicines. What must he do is just to open up and tell us what is his real problem and anger about the department of health, instead of mobilizing anarchy where we are correcting.
“Management of this centre has been suspended predominantly because of the problem surrounding the availability of medicine. Mr Anonymous/whistle-blower was the spokesperson of suspended managers in his letter he circulated. We are here at the depot because we do not have medicines to supply to people,” said Sambatha.
He also challenged Mr Anonymous/whistle-blower who is the MPL to come out of the closet and mobilize his people to give them invoices to be able to pay service providers and have access to medicines.
What we are not going to do is to compromise our people because of anarchy, says Sambatha.
The NWPL spokesperson, Tebogo Chane confirmed that Dantjie has received a letter and will address it in due course.
The Guardian 