A police case for assault and intimidation, along with a looming protection order, has overshadowed the ANC ward councillor candidate selection process for the November 4 municipal elections in Mahikeng, North West, where party members claim fear has gripped participants ahead of a rerun ordered after a disputed nomination meeting.
Members involved in the Ward 21 conflict, which includes areas on the outskirts of the CBD in Mafikeng, say that intimidation has increased, with rival groups reportedly hiring assailants who are brought to community meetings in fully loaded taxis and bakkies, creating fear of violence as factions compete for control of the ANC candidacy.
Last Wednesday, the ANC North West provincial disputes resolution committee (PDRC), led by Motlalepula Rosho, the chief whip of the North West Provincial Legislature, ordered the ward to restart its community nomination process because the June meeting did not follow the party’s rules for selecting candidates.
The applicants argued that the meeting was not conducted according to the ANC’s branch general meeting guidelines and candidate selection rules and sought to have decisions taken at the gathering declared invalid.
The committee did not make findings on allegations of intimidation or violence. Instead, it ordered the branch to repeat the community meetings, voting district by voting district, before concluding the process.
The rerun is scheduled for this Tuesday – just three days before the deadline for submission on Friday – at Setumo Secondary School, where ANC members will vote on a councillor candidate using voter rolls drawn from Ngwana Sejo, Setumo Secondary School and the Church of Nazarene. It is alleged that the PDRC had actually ruled that three voting districts should have separate meetings, and that decision was being defied.
But the fight over who will represent the ANC in the next local government elections has moved beyond procedural complaints. Members involved in the dispute describe a climate where some people are afraid to participate.
A member opposed to the current process told Sunday World that the dispute had created an atmosphere of fear, alleging that some participants were being threatened and intimidated.
“I am a victim of violence. We have been attacked.
We even have a case,” the member said.
The member said a criminal complaint had been opened at the Lomanyaneng police station relating to allegations of violence and harassment after an ANC meeting.
North West police spokesperson Col. Adele Myburgh said yesterday that police are investigating a case of assault with grievous bodily harm. “No arrests have been made yet, and investigations are ongoing.”
The ANC members further alleged that those challenging the current process feared attending ANC activities because of threats and the presence of groups of men allegedly mobilised around the ward.
“Our preferred candidate is even getting scared to stand because he is getting threats. People are threatening him now,” the member said. “They are also fearing for their families,” the person added.
Sunday World understands that the outgoing councillor, Mpho Phuthego, is seeking a third term, while a branch official is accused of contesting for the position but still participating in decisions affecting the process.
“If you have an interest, you are not supposed to participate in any decision-making,” a ward member said. Rosho said yesterday that she was in meetings all day.
- A police assault and intimidation case has emerged amid the ANC Ward 21 candidate selection rerun in Mahikeng, North West, creating fear among party members.
- Rival factions allegedly hired assailants to intimidate participants, escalating tensions during the rerun of the nomination process.
- The ANC North West provincial disputes committee invalidated the initial June meeting for breaching party rules, ordering a rerun with separate voting district meetings.
- Members report threats and violence, with a criminal case opened at Lomanyaneng police station; police investigations are ongoing with no arrests made.
- The incumbent councillor seeks a third term amid accusations of conflict of interest by a branch official involved in the process, intensifying factional disputes.
A police case for assault and intimidation, along with a looming protection order, has overshadowed the ANC ward councillor candidate selection process for the
Last Wednesday, the ANC
But the fight over who will represent the ANC in the next local government elections has moved beyond procedural complaints.
A member opposed to the current process told
“I am a victim of violence. We have been attacked.
We even have a case,” the member said.
“Our preferred candidate is even getting scared to stand because he is getting threats. People are threatening him now,” the member said. “
“If you have an interest, you are not supposed to participate in any decision-making,” a ward member said.
