North West Premier Thandi Modise has undertook to expedite announcement of the findings and implementation of the recommendations of the Commission that investigated the management of the royalties and or income derived from mining companies and alleged activities of corruption and maladministration of the funds of the Rakotea community near Brits. Judge Hendler handed over the final report to Premier Modise in Mahikeng on Monday.
In receiving the report Premier Modise undertook to study the report and action its recommendations. The Premier emphasised the significance of presenting the report to the Rankotea community as a matter of urgency and that the report to be presented to the Rankotea community should be translated into Setswana so as to accommodate all residents of Rankotea.
Family members of the joint co-owners, the family representatives and the residents of Rankotea had participated in public hearings conducted by the Commission of inquiry to complete outstanding work after it was appointed by Premier Modise to resume its work.
The commission was initially appointed in 2008 by then Premier Edna Molewa in terms of the North West Commissions Act, 1994 (Act No. 18 of 1994)and completed its work four months ago.
The commission had adjourned in 2010 because the leader of evidence Adv Senne resigned from the commission on the grounds that he had joined government from the private sector and could not proceed in his role as leader of evidence, without his impartiality being an issue.
The work of the commission was also interrupted because its chairperson Judge Hendler had to go for a medical procedure overseas and the Office of the Premier had to wait for his return and full recovery. The appointment of another chairperson to replace Judge Hendler would have meant that the commission had to start the hearings afresh.
Among its terms of reference, the commission had also investigated:
- The functionality of the Executive Committee if any and other committees or subcommittees entrusted with the general management of the affairs of the community.
- To collect and examine information relating to the administration and management of the financial affairs of the community.
- The cause of continuous battles between all committees that were ever elected or appointed and recommend scenarios to be considered to ensure non-recurrence of such problems.
Upon completing its investigations, the commission has to make recommendations to the Premier Modise on any proposed actions and/ or steps to be taken to prevent the mismanagement of the funds of the community including the appropriate financial and management structures that must be put in place for future management of the funds and general administration thereof.
The Secretariat of the commission is finalising arrangements regarding dates on which the report will be presented by Premier Modise to the community of Rankotea as the Premier has instructed that this process should be completed as soon as it is reasonably possible.
After all arrangements have been completed an announcement on the date, time and venue for the presentation of the report to the community of Rankotea shall be made through print and electronic media.
Enquiries:
Lesiba Moses Kgwele, Spokesperson
Tel: 018 388 3705
Cell: 083 629 1987
Fax: 018 388 3157
E-mail: LKgwele@gmail.com
