By OBAKENG MAJE
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in North West calls for the removal of North West MEC for Community Safety and Transport Management, Wessels Morweng.
This comes after rape allegations levelled against Morweng’s cronies, Tebogo Metswamere and Puseletso Mosadi, who are ANCYL Deputy Convener and Coordinator in the Ngaka Modiri Molema Region respectively. It is alleged that Metswamere was also earmarked to be appointed as a Support of Staff Officer in Morweng’s Office.
Metswamere and Mosadi were allegedly arrested after they allegedly raped a woman.
According to the EFF provincial spokesperson, Fanon Moema, the alleged rape, took place at Protea Hotel in Mahikeng, in the same room Morweng was booked in by the North West Provincial Legislature (NWPL).
“Mosadi is employed by Mmabana Foundation, where Morweng was the CEO, prior to being appointed as MEC. We are grimly concerned by the rise of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and patriarchal relations that have taken a different turn, which sees women being raped by the very people who are tasked with the responsibility to lead, protect and shower them with love.
“It is also alleged that the victim was faced with hurdles when she went to open a case, wherein police officers in Mmabatho Police Station were insensitive and reluctant to open a case. It is quite evident with the high levels of victims in cases of this nature that the political elites in this country enjoy impunity at the expense of the most vulnerable,” he said.
Moema further said clearly, the moral fabric that is espoused in the constitution has been trampled on by the political elites, who have turned executive offices into a predatory state and as a result, the communities are left grieving during a Women’s Month.
He added that a fish rots from the head and as such, it is unacceptable for Morweng, who is responsible for Community Safety and Transport Management portfolio, to continue to hold such a prestigious office that is at the epicentre of righteousness, protection and moral guidance.
“We call for Morweng, together with the two accused persons, to resign from public offices. We will be on the ground to monitor developments of this case closely and provide necessary support to the victims, families, friends and the grieving communities at large.
“We call upon community members to attend to the court case on 2 September 2024, and ensure that we voice out our dismay in demand of justice,” said Moema.
Morweng, who is also the ANCYL provincial chairperson said: “I relate with Metswamere as the ANCYL provincial chairperson and it is true that I had earmarked him for a position as a support staff in my Office.
“However, he has not signed a contract and therefore he is not an employee of the department. As a department, we condemn all violations of the law, especially something as abhorrent as alleged violation.”
Morweng said they are facing many challenges of transgressions against women and as a nation, they need to collectively support all those whose rights have been violated. He said what is alleged to have happened is antithetical to him as a leader of young people in the province.
“It is antithetical to what our organisation stands for and we will not stand in the way for the law to take its course,” he said.
Meanwhile, ANCYL provincial spokesperson, Tshepo Mohlomi said the ANCYL is aware of rape allegations levelled against two of its Regional Task Team leaders. Mohlomi said as disappointing as it appears to be for the image of the organisation, the two members have thus far approached the
organisation and voluntarily stepped aside from their responsibilities as per the dictate of the broader policy of the movement.
“The ANCYL wishes to reiterate its intolerance on matters relating to the gross violation of women’s rights and their bodies. We maintain our stunts in condemning the barbaric behaviour of women abuse. We condemn any disregard for the rights of women by any man regardless of their association with our organisation, position in society or any other attribute that might mislead any person into believing that they possess some superiority over the body or rights of women of our country.
“The organisation unreservedly welcomes the voluntary decision by the two accused to step aside from all the responsibilities assigned to them by the ANCYL. Their action in this regard signifies a common appreciation by members and leaders of the organisation that at no point must the movement be associated with this alleged pattern of personal conduct,” he said.
Mohlomi said they further call on the law to take its course in determining these allegations and the punishment thereof. He said the ANCYL wished to caution all young people against the disregard of human rights and the violation of women.
The Guardian 