ANC members burn party T-shirts in Tlokwe

Members of the ANC burnt party T-shirts outside the Tlokwe local municipality offices in protest against the expulsion of 14 councillors, the party said on Thursday.

 

"This conduct by all involved vindicates the ANC and confirms the correctness of the decision to expel these ill-disciplined members by the provincial disciplinary committee (PDC)," provincial spokesman Kenny Morolong said in a statement.

 

The ANC condemned the burning of T-shirts and maintained its position that it do not recognise the removal of Tlokwe mayor Maphetle Maphetle, Morolong said.

 

The ANC claimed that 16 of its councillors participated in an irregular council meeting where they voted for Maphetle's unseating. 

 

This was the second attempt to remove him.

 

In November, ANC factions in the municipality passed a motion of no confidence in Maphetle.

 

He was replaced by Annette Combrink -- the first Democratic Alliance mayor in the province -- when she defeated ANC candidate Lucky Tsagae by 20 votes to 19.

 

However, Maphetle was returned as mayor in February, when he won by 31 votes to Combrink's 21.

 

In the latest attempt to oust him, DA North West leader Chris Hattingh said 29 councillors from all parties, including the ANC, had unanimously voted to return Combrink to the position of mayor.

 

The ANC said the actions of its members were contrary to the party's code of conduct.

 

The 16 councillors were scheduled to face a disciplinary hearing on Wednesday, but only two of them attended the meeting.

 

The two, who pleaded guilty, were "reprimanded" by the PDC and it was decided that they would be provided with "guidance" by the party, and would not be expelled.

 

The other 14, who did not arrive for the meeting, were expelled. 

 

-Sapa