ANC members of the North West provincial legislature will not try to oust Premier Supra Mahumapelo as the province faces an administrative takeover by the national government.
Chairperson of the province’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa), Mahlakeng Mahlakeng has denied reports that he and six ANC colleagues face expulsion from the legislature for opposing Mahumapelo.
The reports say the seven are in the firing line for conniving with the EFF to support a motion of confidence against the premier. Mahlakeng says as senior ANC members, they would never vote with the opposition.
“There are a number of people who think we are talking too much because we are talking on matters of corruption. It is not something that we are not going to be intimidated to do. We are going to continue talking it is our job that is why people are paying us because you know that i get paid for talking and talking to represent the people of the North West and I will continue together with this team doing that work without fear of contradiction and it doesn’t matter but happens to us and we will do that work.”
ANC Spokesperson in the North West, Gerald Modise, denies they were planning to remove the seven MPLs from the provincial legislature. He says the issue was distorted by some members of the ANC.
“We want to dispute the rumours that are doing around in the media that the PEC has resolved to recall some of these MPLs. It must be noted that in terms of the electoral act it permits political parties to annually in May replenish their reserve list and that is what we have done so far nothing that is indicated in the media is true.”
This comes as the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) prepares to implement cabinet’s decision for the national government to take over the administration of North West under Section 100 of the Constitution – a first for South Africa.
The NCOP has 180 days to take detailed action in this regard.
The Constitution states that, when a province cannot fulfill its executive obligations, the national executive may intervene by taking steps to restore governance.
NCOP chairperson Thandi Modise is expected to table Ramaphosa’s letter in parliament this week.
The NCOP will conduct its own assessment and make a determination within 180 days.
The presidential spokesperson, Khusela Diko confirmed the letter to the NCOP.
