Youth League slams Mabilo’s swearing in
THE SUSPENDED ANC Frances Baard regional chairperson Dr Thapelo Dithebe will be jobless as from today as the former Member of Parliament Patrick Mabilo will finally be sworn in as a Member of the Provincial Legislature (MPL).
The ANC has been footing the bill for Mabilo’s salary as he has not been sworn in, since he returned to the Province in October.
The vacancy that he was initially supposed to fill, is still being occupied by the MEC for Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs Alvin Botes, who has not yet resigned.
ANC Provincial spokesperson Naledi Gaosekwe said that Mabilo would replace Dr Thapelo Dithebe in the Northern Cape Provincial Legislature as an MPL.
Dithebe was suspended as ANC Frances Baard regional chairman for two years.
He was also declared unfit to hold political office, after he was charged for divisive and factional behaviour during a disciplinary hearing that was held in his absence.
ANC Youth League (ANCYL) regional task team co-ordinator Sandiseni Sithole pointed out that Dithebe was being removed from his position before his appeal had been finalised.
“I cannot confirm whether Dithebe was served with notice from the Speaker’s Office regarding the termination of his employment. We are surprised to hear that he is being replaced. Dithebe did not mentioned anything when I spoke to him yesterday morning. He has been diligently performing his duties and attending house sittings. As the ANCYL, we are very proud of him.”
He believed that Dithebe’s removal was “premature and vindictive”.
“Dithebe will have to be reinstated if he wins his appeal, Mabilo’s appointment as an MPL will have to be reversed.
“The ANC doesn’t have money to pay for Mabilo’s salary so they are using Dithebe as the sacrificial lamb so that Mabilo can enjoy Christmas.”
Sithole added that Dithebe was being purged because he was vocal about supporting Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma as being elected as the new ANC President.
“How can the outcome of his appeal be predicted in advance? We will report the factionalism and division that is being sown in the region to Luthuli House. Comrades are being used as pawns to fight each other.
“We do not know why the Provincial Executive Committee is acting in this funny manner, we don’t know where this is coming from.”
Rash decisions
He stated that Dithebe should be afforded an opportunity to have his case heard before the appeals committee before any rash decisions are taken.
“The final decision as to whether he will seek legal advice to challenge his expulsion from the legislature, will be up to Dithebe.
“The ANCYL is of the opinion that the national office of the ANC should intervene.”
Sithole added that Dithebe was not able to attend his disciplinary hearing as he was writing exams. “The guilt finding took place in his absence.” Meanwhile the embattled MEC for Co-operative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs Alvin Botes is expected to attend his disciplinary hearing today.
His reasons provided for the delay was that he was “busy sorting out private matters”.
Botes was summoned to appear before the disciplinary committee on December 5 on a charge of defiance as he is refusing to relocate to parliament.
He was however not available to attend the hearing due to illness after producing a sick note.