Molefe’s allies jump to his defence as furore over MP role takes another turn

The furore surrounding the nomination of former Eskom boss Brian Molefe to parliament as ANC MP took another turn yesterday as those close to him came to his defence.

While the nomination was described as problematic by the SA Communist Party (SACP) in North West, Molefe had the full of backing ANC structures – the women’s league, youth league and the Madibeng branch, which Molefe belongs to.

It also emerged yesterday that Molefe paid R60 for his ANC membership in May 2011 and paid R100 when he renewed his membership in November 2015 in Madibeng.

However, the branch collapsed in June 2011 due to poor membership and an interim structure was appointed in 2013.

At a media briefing at Hartbeespoort Dam, the media was shown membership forms to prove that Molefe was an ANC member in good standing.

Defending the nomination of Molefe, youth league North West provincial executive committee member Papi Ratele said: “Comrade Molefe must go and serve in parliament. He is one of our own and he is a member of the ANC.

“We are very proud to have a man of his calibre.”

Ratele went on to say that the ANC in North West was giving the nation a “well-cooked” person.

The SACP in North West, was seething at the announcement of the pending appointment, saying there was no consultation or engagements with alliance partners.

“This pattern of unilateralism was entrenched by the provincial leadership of the ANC since the 2014 general election,” SACP provincial secretary Madoda Sambatha said.

“These fellows have appropriated to themselves, exclusively, the prerogative to change lists, even without involving the provincial deployment committee.”

Sambatha said ANC provincial chairperson Supra Mahumapelo highlighted the deployment change in his political input at the last ANC provincial executive committee lekgotla.

“This new tradition in the province does not fit in with the principles of internal democracy,” he said.

“Neither does it constitute consultation with alliance partners, especially at ANC meetings including alliance partners.”

Sambatha said the reason they have a problem with the deployment of Molefe emanates from the circumstances of his resignation from the strategic position of Eskom CEO.

“The big question is: Where is the ANC national leadership in this confusion?” Sambatha asked.

“What does the leadership think is the impact of Molefe telling the nation that he was in a neighbouring sheeben next to the Gupta family compound in Saxonworld and then announcing his resignation from Eskom?

“Why is the leadership of the ANC both at provincial and national levels not advising each other on the possible consequences of his deployment?” asked Sambatha. –