Calls for the reinstatement of former North West Finance MEC Wendy Nelson

Some ANC members in the North West have called for the reinstatement of former Finance MEC, Wendy Nelson, as both a member of the ANC IPC and the provincial legislature. Those who made the call are from Ward 3 of the Matlosana sub-region in Klerksdorp.

Nelson and head of the Provincial Health Department, Dr Thabo Lekalakala were acquitted of fraud charges by the North West High Court in Mahikeng, last week. The duo were arrested by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in 2019.

The 2019 fraud charges emanate from Lekalakala’s appointment as Superintendent-General in the Health Department. It was alleged Nelson, who chaired the interview panel, knew of Lekalakala’s misrepresentation on his Z83 application form, but recommend that he be employed in the senior position anyway.

Lekalakala still faces charges regarding the appointment of the Gupta-owned Mediosa to provide mobile health services in the North West. He reportedly gave the company a R30 million advance payment to supply mobile clinics to the provincial health department.

Following her arrest and subsequent appearance in court, Nelson was requested by the ANC IPC to step aside. This was in accordance with a resolution taken at the party’s national conference. The resolution states that a member facing criminal charges, should step aside until the case is concluded.

Nelson complied with the decision. And now that she has been acquitted, her branch demands her reinstatement.

“Today, we are celebrating the acquittal of comrade Wendy Nelson on all charges as per the NEC decision. We call on the IPC of the North West to reinstate her in both positions, that of the IPC Fund Raiser and in the North West Provincial Legislature without any delay as they did with her removal,” explains Spokesperson for the branch, Riaad Williams.

The ANC in the province says it is engaging with Nelson on the matter.

“We have already interacted with comrade Wendy and we are happy and congratulated her that she has managed. In fact, we have issued a statement as the party in the province. So, those engagements are happening. She will be back once we have clarified all of those internal issues that we have to deal with. Well, the issue of the legislature again is a matter that will get debated by the structure, if a need arises to look at her deployment because it’s the party that deploys. We will decide where we want to deploy her again,” says Coordinator for the ANC IPC, Hlomane Chauke.

Political Analyst, Professor Andre Duvenhage, believes the ANC in the North West has its work cut out for it in dealing with this matter.

“Currently, it’s the situation a bit of a catch 22 for the leadership in the ANC. If they act according to the rule, there is trouble; if they do not act, there is also trouble. And if the leadership is inconsistent, this is going to breed a number of problems within the context. What we are looking at is a scenario where Wendy Nelson should be reinstated in terms of her previous position that is within the IPC and within the legislature.”

Those demanding Nelson’s reinstatement have vowed to engage the ANC’s national leadership, should the provincial leadership delay in meeting their demands.

VIDEO: North West ANC IPC confirms that four of its members have stepped aside