An ugly fight has broken out between two ANC ward committee members in Limpopo over a multimillion rands construction project.
Arrest over intimidation charge
ANC Limpopo ward 18 committee member David Mokwena has opened a case of intimidation against his fellow party comrade Donald Mokwena.
Donald was arrested after he was accused of sending text messages to David, allegedly threatening to kill him and his family.
Donald, 38, of Praktiseer, outside Burgersfort, is a ward 13 committee member.
Threatening text messages
Sunday World has seen the text messages written in capital letters. They read: “SHO SBARA I WANT TO ASK YOU ONE QUESTION SBARA OSA RATA MOSADI WA GAGO LE BANA BAGAGO SBARA KE KGOPELA O TLOGELE MASEPA WA DIRAGO KUA PROJETENG BRO O TLO HWA BJALO KA MPSA AM BEGGING TLOGELA GORE TSWENYETSA BATHO WE ARE MONITORING YOUR MOVEMEMTS SINCE YESTERDAY WE KNOW YOUR HOUSE YOUR KIDS AND WE EVEN KNOW YOUR MOTHERS HOUSE WENA IF O NYAKA GO PHELA DO THE RITE THING (Greetings man. Do you still love your wife and children. Please stop messing around with the project. You’ll die like like a dog. Stop bothering our people. If you want to live do the right thing.).
Another message reads: “SBARA WENA IF OSA RATA FAMILY YAGAGO TLOGELA MASEPA AWE WA DIRAGO OTLO HWA WE ARE MONITORING YOUR MOVEMENT REBE REGO LEBELETSE TODAY O THIBELA BATHO GO PHAKA DI COKE WE ARE WARNING YOU (Man if you still love your family, stop messing around. You’ll die. We are monitoring your movements. We were watching you today. You stopped people from collecting free soft drinks. We are warning you.).
Charged and released on bail
Police confirmed the matter and said the case has been heard in court.
Limpopo police provincial spokesperson Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba said: “The suspect appeared in the Praktiseer magistrate’s court on Tuesday.”
He was released on bail.
Mashaba said: “The incident happened in Praktiseer on the 05 December 2023 at about 22h00. The complainant alleges that on this date he went to Bomamohlala project where he was employed to erect a fence and on the same day he received his salary.
“He was surprised to hear from his bosses that another male candidate also bid for the same tender.
“The suspect threatened to stab him with a knife saying he will bomb his house. The following day, the complainant received messages on his cellphone from the suspect who threatened to kill him and his family,” said Mashaba.
Fight over R65m tender
It is understood that the two men were fighting over a 30% stake of a R65-million bulk water supply pipeline fencing sub-contract to empower local businesses.
ANC Limpopo spokesperson Jimmy Machaka had not commented by the time of publication.
His response will be proved and uploaded as soon as it’s made available.
- Thomo Nkgadima
