North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo says only the African National Congress (ANC) can fire him. Mahumapelo was speaking to the media during a walk-about in Coligny township in North West ahead of the by-election in ward 15 under Ditsobotla Local Municipality.
Mahikeng came to a standstill last week as protesters took to the streets calling for Mahumapelo’s resignation or removal. A motion of no confidence debate against the province’s premier has been postponed.
Mahumapelo says there is no collapse of governance in the province and only the ANC can fire him.
“We are all deployed by the African national Congress. The ANC owes nobody an answer when it does deployments and redeployments,” says Mahumapelo.
Enraged Mahikeng residents have accused Mahumapelo of widespread corruption since he took over in 2014. Violent protests have been taking place since last week.
Watch | Community members in Taung, North West loot a construction store #NorthWestProtests #AntiMahumapeloprotests pic.twitter.com/UFRSnUBKhG
— SABC News Online (@SABCNewsOnline) April 23, 2018
Mahumapelo and other members of the Provincial Executive Committee are expected to be in the area until Wednesday. This comes as sporadic protests continue in Mahikeng and other towns with locals calling on Mahumapelo to quit amid allegations of corruption.
ANC spokesperson in the province Gerald Modise claims Mahumapelo’s Coligny visit is simply part of campaigning.
In Itsoseng near Mahikeng, schooling has been disrupted. Residents have vowed to continue their shutdown until Mahumapelo is removed from power.
N18 route to Vryburg closed
The N18 route linking Taung and Vryburg is closed at Pudumoe village due to protesting residents who have used rocks and burning objects to blockade the road.
It appears the anti-Supra Mahumapelo sentiment has now spread to Taung, where calls intensify for him to step down as North West premier.
Armed security officers are guarding the Taung shopping complex to prevent looting. This comes amid fresh reports of looting in some villages around Taung.
