Supra faces watershed week over his future
Claims of plot to murder premier
Embattled North West premier Supra Mahumapelo enters a week which could define his fate as the ANC looks set to announce its decision on his future.
Although the ANC national executive committee will not sit to discuss Mahumapelo, the SACP in North West, which has been at the forefront in calling for his resignation, expects a decision before the end of this week.
SACP North West secretary Madoda Sambatha said they understood that a decision on Mahumapelo had already been made.
“The ANC has taken a decision, as we’ve been informed, we are now expecting the ANC to action that decision,” Sambatha said yesterday.
Mahumapelo survived three weeks of violent protests, which claimed at least one life, in various areas across the province including in Mahikeng and Taung as angry communities demanded that he step down over allegations of corruption and maladministration.
Mahumapelo’s office this weekend said his family could be in danger as the Hawks investigate another attempt on his life.
The premier confirmed to Sowetan yesterday that he was worried about the safety of his family following allegations of plots to kill him.
Hawks spokesman Tlangelani Rikhotso confirmed they were investigating the allegations. “No one has been arrested but we are investigating a case of conspiracy.”
Mahumapelo and his supporters have claimed that six people had been paid R250 000 to assassinate him.
The premier would not comment on the ongoing calls for him to resign but said: “I am protected by [the] state but my wife and kids do not have security”.
The violent protests have seen several public buildings and infrastructure damaged and dozens of shops looted.
Sambatha said the writing was already on the wall for Mahumapelo but reiterated that their call for him to step down was not informed by a desire to have him replaced by any particular candidate.
“Any candidate who comes in and does exactly what was done by comrade Supra is going to find it difficult to be accepted by us,” Sambatha said.
ANC spokesman Pule Mabe told Sowetan that even though the party was moving with the “necessary speed”, its national executive committee, the highest decision-making body between conferences, would not be meeting despite earlier speculation.
“We are working with the necessary speed required to resolve the impasse.”
National government intervened by putting the provincial health department, which was central to corruption and maladministration allegations, under administration.