‘Setsokotsona’ a fierce wind- Supra’s initiated campaign to accelerate service deliver in NW as Premier- has been suspended alongside acting provincial ANC Women’s League secretary Bitsa Lekonpane, after hearings conducted on Monday and Tuesday, respectively.
This means both Lenkopane and Supra’s memberships have been withdrawn and they won’t partake in any of the organisations decision making but only as ordinary members.
In their findings, the DC led by ANC’s Wendy Matsemela said: “After considering the aggravating factors as submitted by the presenter of evidence on behalf of the ANC represented by the IPC in the North West, the committee therefore concluded on the after:
“That both members are hereby suspended from the ANC for a period of five years with immediate effect. That both respondents must be removed from the lists of public representatives of the ANC,” said Matsemela.
They are accused of running a parallel ANC structure that held a separate rally while a duly convened official provincial ANC Siyanqoba rally in Mareetsane was under way just a few metres away.
Mahumapelo was also accused of telling the mayor of JB Marks municipality Kgotso Khumalo to refuse to step aside when there was an IPC recommendation that he should do so.
Matsemela’s disciplinary committee has also recommended that Mahumapelo be subjected to a three-year mentorship programme on political leadership under the guidance of former president Thabo Mbeki during his suspension period.
It also recommended that Lenkopane should be taken through a similar programme under ANC veteran Barbara Masekela “to assist her for a period of five years”.
Matsemela, however, pointed out the duo were still within their rights to appeal the provincial disciplinary committee’s decision with the national disciplinary committee of appeals, headed by former minister Nomvula Mokonyane.
For ‘Setsokotsane’ it means he will vacate his Parliament position with immediate effect.
Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa will return to the Zondo commission for the second day of testimony on Thursday morning.
On Wednesday, Ramaphosa appeared to testify in his capacity as ANC leader. He was asked about the ANC’s deployment strategy.
On Thursday, he is expected to be probed further on the donations the ANC received from companies that had been awarded government contracts.
He said state capture took off in the party because of the divisions that had manifested in the ANC since 1994. He admitted that the party could have done more to prevent corruption which has affected the party and the country.
“State capture took place under our watch as the governing party. It involved some members and leaders of our organisation and it found fertile ground in the divisions, weaknesses and tendencies that have developed in our organisation since 1994.
“We all acknowledge that the organisation could and should have done more to prevent the abuse of power and the misappropriation of resources that defined the era of state capture. Particularly during the period under review by this commission, the ANC does admit that it made mistakes as it sought to execute the mandate it was given by the voters,” Ramaphosa said.
He said the ANC did not support members who committed corruption and they would not be protected by the party.
“Such members must face the full legal consequences of their actions. They cannot rely on the ANC for support or protection, nor may they appeal to the principle of collective responsibility,” he said.
