North West Premier Lazarus Mokgosi has vehemently denied allegations that he tried to influence former Naledi Local Municipality Director for corporate Services Thabo Appolus to alter a report relating to the appointment of Modisenyane Segapo as the Municipal Manager after an interview process.
The allegations were made by the municipality mayor Clifton Groep, who told Parliament’s Joint Portfolio Committees chaired by Zweli Mkhize, during an oversight visit last year in the province that Mokgosi had allegedly instructed a former municipal employee to alter a report relating to the appointment of municipal manager.
Mokgosi took to the stand on Saturday at the ad-hoc committee sitting in Sun City that was established to investigate the allegations levelled against him.
He accused the committee of failing to protect him against Segapo whom he said made serious and unsubstantiated accusations against him.
The Premier said Segapo attacked him personally and portrait him as an immoral person with multiple partners, attacking his person, injuring his dignity and integrity in the process,
In addition, he raised concerns that Segapo also made allegations that he (Mokgosi) is an abuser, as he beat up his wife and labelled him a Gender Based Violence (GBV) proponent.
“I feel very strongly that it was a deliberate attack, and none of the members of the Inquiry including the Chairperson (Nathan Oliphant) and evidence leader (Advocate Pule Seleka) called him to order.
He came here and made serious allegations that I’m in charge of the police, and I have police in my pockets, and that I cannot be arrested when cases are opened against me.
I abuse my position as the Premier, none of these accusations were based on hearsay, there was no submitted evidence, he was simply entertained and not even restrained,” said Mokgosi.
The Premier said Segapo was also allowed to make unfounded allegations against the judiciary.
“He also attacked the judiciary, in particular Judge Reed, how biased she is.
He also accused the Judge President of the North West division of the High Court that he was interfering in the Supreme Court of Appeal on their matter and influenced five Judges of the court, scandalizing the judiciary and none of you called him to order,” added the premier.
Mokgosi said that he is aware of what he called “a concerted political effort” to create a dark cloud over his head and make his participation in politics within the province impossible.
Regarding accusations that he attempted to interfere in the appointment of a senior municipal official, Mokgosi rejected all allegations made against him by Groep, Segapo and other witnesses who implicated him.
Meanwhile, the hearings were adjourned to 13 and 14 of February, where the Mokgosi is expected to continue with his testimony.
Oliphant reiterated that the committee remains committed to executing its mandate independently, impartially and without fear or favour.
