Factions behind violent protests
THE SOUTH African National Civics Organisation (Sanco) has attributed violent protests that have rocked Olifantshoek, to factionalism in the ANC Johan Titus branch.
The ANC in the region has not excluded the possibility that the ringleaders, who were arrested for inciting violence, are also ANC members.
During a recent visit to Olifantshoek, Sanco provincial secretary, Robbie Tsikwe, said that some members of the party’s Johan Titus branch did not recognise the regional chairman Mike Mochwari and treasurer Charles Phuti as legitimate leaders.
“As a non-political organisation, Sanco went to the area in an attempt to resolve the impasse. Membership at this branch has increased phenomenally from 300 to about 900 members.
“They feel that their leaders were blamed for instigating the protests. They were banished to the farms because they have been forbidden from interacting with the community or attending ANC meetings.”
Tsikwe added that the community disliked the modus operandi of Mochwari and Phuti, who served on various organisations in Olifantshoek including school committees as well as the tender board in which family members were being awarded municipal and State tenders.
“They want the mayor, Maria Diniso, to be replaced because they believe she is receiving instructions from the ANC regional chairman and treasurer.
“The mayor was never wanted as a ward councillor but was forced on them by the upper structures of the ANC. They are demanding her resignation because of a lack of progress and development.”
He added that a commission that was launched by Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma to investigate the candidate nominations had never got off the ground.
Tsikwe also said that the last annual general meeting was held in 2007. “The branch is dysfunctional and illegitimate. The bone of contention is that this branch needs to go for a branch general meeting (BGM) because the legitimacy of some members is being disputed by the regional chairman and the treasurer.
“It now seems that there is vetoing and censoring as well as a waiting period before members are accepted. They have to be members for eight weeks before they are allowed to participate in any elections. Members also say their names have been scrapped from the database and they have no voting powers.”
Tsikwe also recommended that the mayor must get more involved at ward level and that the community finds a way to work with her until the new leadership was elected.
“If you are entrusted to lead and power corrupts you, the masses will remove you from power.”
Tsikwe also said that the allegations of corruption be investigated.
The John Taolo Gaetsewe regional spokesman, Gaobusiwe Seweditse, said that a date for the next BGM had not been set because the verification process was still under way.
“The sooner the audit is completed the better because we did not expect such a high swell in members. Many people decided to join the branch following riots in the area.”
He added that he was was unaware of any internal disciplinary measures that were being conducted against any ANC official relating to allegations of fraud and corruption or interference in the awarding of tenders and town committees.
“The mayor is not being influenced by any ANC official because she is accountable to the organisation. Anyone with information should contact the Department of Co-operative Governance, Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs or the municipality.”
Seweditse also warned that if ANC members were involved for inciting the violent protests, they were not above the law.
“The ANC distances itself from any form of violence. Any member who commits violence is dividing the party and placing the integrity of the ANC at risk.
“We cannot say for sure if they are ANC members. If they are ANC members and are guilty of any wrongdoing they would have been criminally charged. ANC principles are clear that everyone is innocent until proven guilty.”
He was not aware of any disciplinary hearings against any members for inciting violence during the riots. “The matter is still sub judice.” He also said the group that regarded the leaders who were on the farm as their true leaders, were unable to distinguish between the leaders of the protests and the constitutionally elected leaders.
He also did not know why no reports were forthcoming from the investigation into the candidate’s nomination lists.