#tlokwe

The ANC's former executive mayor in the Tlokwe Municipality in Potchefstroom, Maphetle Maphetle, this morning refused to vacate his office by 10:00, as instructed by a High Court judgement yesterday.

Today, however, the ANC in another desperate attempt to cling to power reneged on its commitment. They have applied for leave to appeal, but no such papers had been served on the DA or our legal representatives at 10:00 this morning.

  While the ANC in a blatant show of defiance not only against the Judgement in which it was severely castigated for their recent actions, but also against a majority of Councillors, occupies the offices, no committee meetings or Council meetings are being held.

  It is clear that in its desperation to cling to power, to control the council's financial resources and to suppress the forensic investigation into fraud and corruption, the interests of the community and the proper functioning of the Municipality do not come into the equation.

  The DA condemns the continued ANC attempts to frustrate the DA, the community and any attempt to restore stability, sanity and service delivery in the Municipality.

    Democratic Alliance North-West Media Statement by

Chris Hattingh

The attempts of the North West Standing Committee on Public Accounts to conduct a public hearing was derailed this morning after the SCOPA chairperson, Patrick Chauke, referred to Cllr Maphetle Maphetle as the “Executive Mayor”.

The hearing, convened to interrogate the Forensic Investigation Report in which Maphetle and others are implicated in a number of findings, could not move beyond an initial question: “Who is the Municipal Manager in the Tlokwe Municipality?”

The reference to Maphetle as the “Executive Mayor” was the last straw for members of the public, including some expelled (former ANC) councillors who were in attendance. Vicious altercations ensued during which the chairperson and a former MEC were accused of theft, fraud and corruption. The chairperson was repeatedly shouted down and threatened that the community will stand up against SCOPA and will start with protest meetings directed at SCOPA.

The clear message from the community members present was that the NW SCOPA in its conduct this morning displayed a political bias in the factional infighting within the ANC.

The DA is concerned with the conduct at the meeting as it impacts on the functioning of the NW SCOPA – a committee which carefully over years built a reputation for being a non-partisan and ruthless protector of public funds. The Tlokwe Municipality incident damaged this reputation and also highlighted the fact that the factional divisions prevalent in Potchefstroom also thrives within the every facet of the NW ANC.

Tomorrow, 11 July 2013, DA National Spokesperson, Mmusi Maimane, DA Mayor of Tlokwe, Annette Combrinck, DA Leader in the North West Province, Chris Hattingh, and other local DA leaders will conduct a walkabout in the city centre of Tlokwe Municipality.

The DA will be talking to local residents about our plan to bring delivery, stability and clean governance to Tlokwe. This follows a motion of no confidence in the ANC leadership there last week.

There will be opportunities for interviews and photographs.

Date: 11 July 2013

Time: 09:00