Municipal warfare continues

Last Sunday, the ANC expelled 22 of its councilors from the Mogalakwena Municipality in Mokopane following reports that these councilors attended a council meeting with opposition parties in April where discussions regarding the removal of the mayor and members of the executive committee were held.
Members of the provincial disciplinary committee (PDC) made the decision to expel the group on Sunday following disciplinary hearings held in June, stated Limpopo PDC chairwoman, Dorah Maraba.
Media reports in the Citizen stated that Maraba claimed the affected councilors “willfully brought the ANC into disrepute” and that the group had refused to subject themselves to organisational discipline by common purpose. Maraba also stated that the members were not allowed to attend council meetings.
On Friday, the ANC convened a press conference at the Mogalakwena council chambers where William Mabuela, in his capacity as Mogalakwena sub-region chairperson of the ANC, addressed members of the media and role players. Mabuela is also the mayor of Mogalakwena.
“It is clear that the PDC have distanced themselves from the content and the spirit of the constitution of the ANC which is supposed to guide them when dealing with disciplinary matters,” Mabuela said, referring to the manner in which the expelled ANC members were treated.
“In terms of the constitution of the ANC, the councilors have 21 days to appeal against the sanction against them should they wish to do so [during which time they remain in their positions].”
He added that the processes would be followed and that the 22 councilors are still employed by the Mogalakwena Municipality and will continue to honour their duties until the processes have been concluded.  “As part of the structure of the ANC, we acknowledge the outcomes of the PDC, but only if the correct procedures are followed,” he said.
In his capacity as chairperson of the Mogalakwena sub-region, Mabuela also said that “branches of the ANC are condemning the non-implementation of the recommendations of the KPMG report.”
The municipality underwent a forensic investigation, conducted by KPMG, which concluded that there were indications of financial irregularities and pointed the finger at certain councilors and the former mayor, Thlalefi Mashemaite. 
“The branches will not waver in its commitment that these councilors must be removed in line with the views of the ANC that corruption is the number one enemy of the party.”
Mabuela urged the national executive committee (NEC) of the ANC to come and visit Mogalakwena on a fact-finding mission. He believes that the PDC are acting on incorrect and “one-sided information that they got from a select group.”
“We are calling upon the ANC leadership to come and get all the facts - this approach will do justice to the matter and will bring about stability in the Mogalakwena district.”
Tension mounted on Saturday when police were called in to stand guard to prevent the disruption of an ANC Regional General Council as disgruntled members that protested outside the venue demanded access to the meeting. According to SABC news, the 22 expelled councilors were among those who protested.
Marcelle Maritz, member of the executive committee, DA Ward councilor and official opposition to the ANC, said that it was “indeed a sad day for democracy when councilors are targeted by their own party [the ANC] for standing up against corruption.”