ANC leader misses his chance to refute card abuse rap

AFRICAN National Congress (ANC) North West chairman Supra Mahumapelo missed a briefing with the provincial standing committee on public accounts (Scopa) in Mafikeng on Tuesday, at which he was expected to explain his use of a state credit card for private purchases.

Mr Mahumapelo, who is also the speaker of the North West legislature, was last month reported to have blown about R42,000 on luxury accommodation and meals at Sun City in May last year, allegedly for his family and friends.

A close ally of President Jacob Zuma, Mr Mahumapelo is the favourite to emerge as premier of the financially beleaguered North West province after next year’s elections.

With Mr Mahumapelo unavailable for Tuesday’s briefing due to “urgent political matters”, Scopa said it would make a final ruling on the matter after receiving a written explanation in the next seven days.

North West, together with the Eastern Cape and Free State, has become a serial offender in terms of financial audit outcomes. The financial regression has been blamed on a lack of political leadership to deal decisively with acts of misconduct by ANC public representatives.

Scopa heard on Tuesday that Mr Mahumapelo had paid back about R5,000, and that the remainder of the allegedly misspent funds had been properly accounted for.

Legislature secretary Mamokwena Gaoretelelwe told Scopa that Mr Mahumapelo had informed the legislature that he “saw the mistake” and asked to pay back the money.

She said the mistake occurred when a staff member accompanying Mr Mahumapelo to Sun City “wrongly” used a state credit card for the chairman’s private purchases.

The event in Sun City — the launch of Mr Mahumapelo’s music CD — came just more than a month after he was appointed speaker. The move was seen as paving the way for him to become premier and replace Thandi Modise — who lost her position in the ANC top six in Mangaung in December.

On Tuesday, former North West local government MEC China Dodovu, regarded as a key opponent of Mr Mahumapelo in the ANC, had objected to the credit card matter being discussed in Mr Mahumapelo’s absence, and without the committee receiving a written explanation. However, Scopa chairman Hlomane Chauke, also an ally of Mr Mahumapelo’s, ruled that the committee could still be briefed and the documents submitted later.

“When we get the documents we will analyse that information and decide on a way forward,” he said.

Deputy speaker Philly Mapulane said the documents would be handed to Scopa in less than a week.

Mr Mapulane, a member of the ANC national executive committee, said it was “unfortunate” that Mr Mahumapelo was not available. But it should not create a perception that “we are not accountable”, he said.

Mr Chauke said Mr Mahumapelo had demonstrated leadership by approaching Scopa before he was called to account.

Another matter on the agenda was the financial performance of Ms Modise’s office. Mr Chauke said Scopa was “worried because the office is supposed to be exemplary in leading the clean audit campaign”.

Ms Modise too had sent an apology to Scopa that she would not be available for the meeting.