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The South African Municipal Workers’ Union (Samwu) and its members are distressed by the “unfortunate remarks” of the premier of the Free State, Mxolisi Dukwana who defended the conduct of the mayor of Matjhabeng.
In a statement on live television, Dukwana said that the mayor, Thanduxolo Khalipha, had not assaulted his personal bodyguard on 28 February.
Vista reported at the time of the incident that the bodyguard had been trying to separate the mayor from an angry mob at the Kutlaonong High School in Odendaalsrus during a mayoral imbizo. Khalipha allegedly assaulted the bodyguard, injuring his face and neck.
The mayor was arrested on 18 April. He appeared in court, and was released on own recognisance. He must again appear in court on 24 May.
“For the record, if there was no case to answer, the police would not have arrested and charged the national mayor with one count of common assault, and two counts of crimen injuria,” says Tiisetso Mahlatsi, provincial secretary of Samwu in a statement.
Mahlatsi says it is important to note that the Samwu members at the Matjhabeng Local Municipality are fearing for their lives following threats they have received.
“They no longer feel safe around the mayor, hence they resorted to seeking justice.
“The utterances of the provincial chairman of the ANC confirms how deeply the leadership of the ANC in the Free State are compromised in wrong things and prepared to compromise the integrity of the ANC in the best, selfish interest of their favourites.
“It is apparent that common sense has escaped the honourable premier and his biasness towards the untouchable mayor has clouded his judgement to the extent that his renowned moral compass needs realignment. Whatever mayor Khalipha has on him must not make him lose sight of the fact that the mayor is accountable to the ANC.”
He say Khalipha is an ANC member and he must abide by the ANC’s constitution and by his oath of office. Mahlatsi says these make it crystal clear how a member must conduct himself and what steps should be taken if there are contraventions.
The union will also write a letter to the national minister of the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) to enquire about the status of the investigation promised by the ministry.
“To date, we have not seen or heard anything from both the MEC nor the minister about their promised investigation teams to probe allegations brought by Samwu. We are therefore perturbed by the premier’s unbacked statement that there are people who are pushing for the national mayor’s fall to loot Matjhabeng.
“We can confirm that the looting is currently taking place, hence the national mayor is protected at all costs because his removal will open a can of worms,” he says.
“We will mobilise our constituency and partners including resources to support our members who are the victims of an abusive dictator with a notorious reputation of losing his temper.”
He says contrary to the mayor’s claims that he has connections in high places, Samwu has confidence in the country’s judiciary and the law enforcement agencies to apply the law justly and consistently.
