ANC structures in N West declare support for Mahumapelo

ANC structures in the North West have declared their support for embattled Premier Supra Mahumapelo.

This emerged at a march organised by the party at Montshiwa Stadium near Mahikeng. Mahumapelo, who is currently on leave, was expected to lead the march but did not attend.

The marchers were ferried by taxis to the capital, Mahikeng from different areas of the province. Leaders from different church denominations and members of the Women’s League also attended. The march follows a series of violent protests by North West residents who called for the removal of embattled Premier Mahumapelo, who is accused of corruption and mismanagement.

North West ANC Women’s League’s Bridgett Tlhomelang says though the aim of the march is to bring peace and stability in the province, it has affected some foreign nationals who could not open their businesses. She has urged foreign nationals to be part of the process.

Tlhomelang says, “The foreigners that are within the province will be part of it and we agreed they must go back, sit and delegate a pastor who will form part of reconciliation healing and renewal. So, when we do things according to our culture, we accommodate them, not only them but with the sectors represented in the province.”

ANC Youth League and PEC member, Sebang Mothabi says his organisation believes that anyone who is on the wrong side of the law must be prosecuted. He says this march is aimed at bringing stability in the province.

Mothabi added, “We are saying to people, if they believe that Supra is corrupt let them allow the court processes to take its course and if indeed Supra is corrupt we will be the first one to tell him to resign. Because the ANC does not believe in corruption , but you cannot say somebody is corrupt , you wake up in the morning and say somebody is corrupt and you wake up tomorrow and say somebody must be removed without being found guilty by any court of law.”

Secretary for Faith Based Mission in the North West, Peter Nkuna says people should not use violence to cause instability in the province….

“What we want to achieve in Bokone Bophirima not only in Bokone Bophirima but in the whole of South Africa, we are saying to the political world that whenever there are differences, let us not settle them with burning tyres or disrupting progress in our society but let us sit around a table and resolve our differences.”

The ANC in the North West says peace marches across the province will continue in the coming weeks.