Author: Thabang Morutloa

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in the North West says it’s not going back on its call for the removal of the administrator at the Ditsobotla local municipality, Radinaledi Mosiane after a council meeting was postponed yesterday, because of disruptions for the party members who are calling for his removal. EFF’s provincial chairperson, Matshidiso Botswe, said the administrator’s contract lapsed two weeks ago. “The MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA) appointed an administrator, Radinaledi Mosiane, since the municipality was placed under Section 139(1) (c) of the Constitution, and the appointment was for a period ending on…

The South African Municipal Workers Union, SAMWU, in the North West, is not backing down on its fight to force the Greater Taung Local Municipality (GTLM), to pay workers the Covid-19 danger allowance. The striking workers were demanding back payment of R1 000 on top of the R1 500 they were paid during the pandemic. GTLM tried to interdict the striking workers but the North West High Court court dismissed their application. SAMWU’s provincial secretary, Vincent Diphoko, said the strike started after the workers were paid only R1 500 for danger allowance during Covid-19 restrictions Instead of the R2 500.…

The latest preliminary results show that the ANC has retained power in the Ditsobotla Local Municipality in the North West, following yesterday’s by-elections. The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) said the party won 15 of the 20 wards. Releasing the preliminary results in Lichtenburg, IEC’s head in the North West, Dr Tumeloentle Thiba said the council will have eight parties. “ANC had won 15 wards and one Proportional Representation (PR) seat. The DA won three wards and PR seats. The EFF won two wards and eight PR seats. The F4SD and the Patriotic Alliance won two PR seats. And the African…

Today the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) in the North West is allowing special votes to be cast at the Lichtenburg Municipal offices in the much-contested Ditsobotla Local Municipal by-elections. The municipality was dissolved by the North West Provincial Governments after months of instability which hampered service delivery to the constituencies. Since the announcement of the by-elections, major political parties including the ANC, the DA and the EFF have been going around wooing voters with promises of better service delivery and job creation. One of the hopeful voters, Mamosetsanyane Modise who came out to cast her special vote said she is…

As parties continued to campaign in preparation for Wednesday’s by-elections at the Ditsobotla Local Municipality, the Patriotic Alliance (PA) became the last to descend on the area to canvas for votes. The special votes will be cast on Tuesday, while the by-elections will be held on Wednesday for all the 20 wards, which will be contested by 15 political parties and two independent candidates. The PA’s deputy president, Kenny Kunene also came with a promise that his party can improve the lives of the people of Ditsobotla by creating employment and providing runner water for the communities. “We have proven…

The EFF leader, Julius Malema has promised residents of the Ditsobotla local Municipality that should his party be voted into power, it will ensure that the communities benefit from their local natural resources. Malema is campaigning in Bodibe village ahead of the much anticipated by-elections to be held on Wednesday. He said if voted into power, the EFF will pressure local mining companies to contribute to the development of the area. “For all the mines that are here to get operating licenses for mining, they had to sign a social development program agreement. This program commits them to build schools,…

The Independent Electoral Commission in the North West says it’s ready for the highly-contested by-elections for Ditsobotla Local Municipality on Wednesday where more than 10 political parties, including the ANC, the EFF and the DA will be contesting for 20 wards. This follows the dissolution of the troubled Lichtenburg-based municipality by the provincial government after months of instability. The IEC’s provincial head, Dr Tumelontle Thiba, said they will start with the special votes on Tuesday. “The special voting day will be on the 13th, and the actual by-elections will be on Wednesday the 14th. We have received quite a number…

Helen Zille throws down the gauntlet in Ditsobotla.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in the North West says it will intensify its capacity to secure successful convictions in the provincial courts. This emerged during a media briefing by the authority in Mahikeng today, on its strategy and performance in dealing with priority crimes in the province. According to the NPA, about 87% of cases were successfully prosecuted at the high courts in the province. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in the province, Dr Rachel Makhari Sekhaolelo, emphasised the need for collaboration with law enforcement authorities. “In turning the tide, we realised that collaboration between the NPA and…

The North West High Court in Mahikeng has dismissed the application by disgruntled ANC members, who wanted the court to nullify the party’s provincial elective conference. The members were questioning the legality of the conference that elected the current provincial leadership. Judge Andre Petersen, said the reasons for the dismissal will be revealed later. “The court issues its order, and reasons for the order shall follow in due course. The order reads as follows, having heard counsel for the 1st and 3rd to 5th applicants. And council for the 6th and 7th applicants. “Council for the 1st to 5th respondents,…