‘The REC will not allow individuals to destroy the ANC’
THE ANC Frances Baard regional executive committee (REC) has instructed the mayor of Magareng Municipality, Bongile Mhaleni, to step down with immediate effect.
ANC regional chairperson Mangaliso Matika stated that the municipal manager of Magareng Municipality should be placed on special leave pending an investigation by provincial government.
“The state of governance in Magareng is not pleasing as people have been experiencing service delivery challenges ranging from water, roads and unfinished projects. While the REC recognises the right to protest, it reiterates that communities must desist from the destruction of public property, which in essence belongs to them,” said Matika.
He indicated that the REC would recommend the names of three candidates to the ANC provincial executive committee to replace the mayor, in order to restore stability at Magareng Municipality.
“The REC will continue to engage structures of the movement and continue to do more political work. The REC will also engage the community on all outstanding issues.”
Matika added that they were trying to persuade the provincial Department of Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs to dissolve Phokwane Municipality.
The municipality has two mayors and two Speakers and is still under administration.
By-elections in Phokwane had to be postponed last month after two expelled ANC members, Crocket Adams and Kgomotsego Mokale, obtained a court order that instructed that they be reinstated into their positions as mayor and Speaker pending their appeal to the national ANC disciplinary committee.
Matika stated that the expelled ANC members had transgressed the constitution of the ANC.
“The REC is dismayed at how the ill-disciplined councillors have handled the matter of Phokwane. We strongly believe that the expelled members are fighting the movement without remorse. “
He added that the postponement of the by-elections was as a result of factions that were prepared to take the party to court.
“The REC will not allow individuals to destroy the ANC. We call upon the branches of the ANC in Phokwane to unite and to be focused as the matter of the court is being challenged by our legal team.”
Matika added that the REC had tasked its deployees to restore political stability and service delivery.
He also indicated that the REC was holding ongoing engagements with the Sol Plaatje executive mayor, Patrick Mabilo, and his mayoral committee to improve their working relationship.
“The REC welcomed the programme of the executive mayor and mayoral committee to go keep the city and its surrounding areas clean and to respond to issues of water and potholes.”
Matika stated that deployees at the municipality needed to perform better.
“Sol Plaatje Municipality needs to provide efficient and reliable basic services to the people. The REC has politically intervened by appointing the new ANC chief whip at Sol Plaatje Municipality, Perdy van Wyk, as the caucus was in shambles and the municipality was dysfunctional.”
He called on Mabilo to urgently attend to the issue of land invasions. “Land must be allocated with urgency to our people. There must be an immediate process that is inclusive to all. More especially the middle-income class must be prioritised.”
He added that Dikgatlong Municipality continued to experience service delivery challenges due to old infrastructures, poor maintenance of roads and a high rate of unemployment.
“To improve capacity, the municipality must focus on good governance, financial management and the provision of services. The REC will continue to monitor the work of its deployees on service delivery.”
