ANC recalls 7 NW mayors

The African National Congress (ANC) in the North West has recalled seven mayors - four of whom have been linked to the VBS Mutual Bank scandal.

The decision was taken by the ANC’s North West provincial task team in Potchefstroom on Tuesday.

"There are two categories of mayors that have been recalled. First category has got to do with municipalities that played a role in investing service delivery related money in the VBS Mutual Bank. Those municipalities are Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality, Mahikeng Betty Diakanyo, Moretele Andries Monaheng and Madibeng,"  says the ANC provincial spokesperson Kabelo Mataboge.

He says the second category is mayors that are being held responsible for the lack of service delivery in areas of Maquassie-Hills and Mamusa.

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"Maquassie-Hills has not functioned for the last four weeks, buildings have been closed, the municipality has been going up and down to defend a decision taken by provincial government to put it under Section 139 (b).”

Matobage says the mayor of Kagisano-Molopo has been recalled due to a criminal conviction.

"In the interest of restoration of public confidence of the ANC and respecting the decisions of the Nasrec conference which says that once you’re a public representative and you've been convicted for a particular criminal act you automatically cease being a public representative of the ANC," Matobage says.

Matobage says criminal charges will be opened against the mayors linked to VBS scandal.

"The ANC will pursue and lay criminal charges against whoever was involved in that instant and many others criminal offence that were conducted we will refer the  matter to appropriate agencies.”

Mataboge says the mayors will have to tender their resignation with immediate effect and thereafter appear in front of the party's integrity commission.

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