Status with regards to the dispute of the Bapo-Ba-Mogale
In recent media reports, there has been an insinuation that I, as Premier, am in cahoots with Kgosi Bob Mogale including some public servants, accused of an intention to loot the wealth of the traditional community for self-enrichment.
This is untrue. The challenge with regards to the traditional leadership in Bapong, are well documented. The dispute has been there for many years before I even became Premier of the North West.
Both my predecessors have had to deal with the traditional leadership challenges of that community.
Under the current legislative regime, the Premier must ensure proper and sound administration of traditional community affairs in Bapong including the proper management of their assets.
Among other things, the Premier may, if satisfied that there is no proper administration by a traditional council, and on being requested by the royal family, appoint an administrator to lead the administration of traditional affairs.
Therefore, my decision to appoint an administrator for Bapo-Ba-Mogale was preceded by a series of meetings between myself and members of the Royal Family.
I took a decision well supported by the vast majority of the members of the Royal Family, including Kgosi.
The obvious fact is that the community is not managing its affairs properly and that is elaborated by the constant conflict between kgosi and traditional council or authority, which lends all of us in the courts of law.
A question should rather be asked, “Why is a community that is so rich with minerals failing to develop and create employment opportunities for the members?”
It is not difficult to see that self-interest is the reason the community is forever in turmoil.
The community of Bapo-Ba-Mogale is without doubt in serious distress, and needs urgent help, despite what other people harbouring interests of a personal nature may think.
An obvious solution is therefore to appoint an administrator who will help set up administrative structures for traditional council and its staff.
What I know, and can promise the people of Bapong is that this Premier does not harbour interests in the community’s wealth, except for wanting to see development.
I will be failing in both my legislative and moral duty if I do not bring intervention in Bapong in the form of administrator.
Sale of state land NOT a subject of any investigation, at least for now
I have had an opportunity yesterday morning, to meet the former MEC for Local Government and Housing, who is currently MEC for Safety, Honourable Howard Yawa, and the current MEC for Human Settlement, Honourable Desbo Mohono.
I requested the meeting so that I could get a full briefing from both leaders following conflicting versions in a media report based on questions and answers presented in the provincial legislature a few weeks ago.
The media report was about the purchasing of a portion of state land in Mmabatho, from where a filling station has been doing business for several years.
The report also mentioned figures and named parties purported to have been part of the process in the selling and purchase of the portion of land in question.
I must emphasise that this matter, controversial as media reports suggested, is not a subject of any formal investigation by the Premier.
However, because of the public interest this matter has created following the media reports,I took an initiative to seek clarity from both MECs so that I should know how to respond should such a need arise. I am yet to be furnished with all the information regarding this matter.
Upon receipt of reports from respective MECs I will take a decision as to how the matter will be dealt with. I will pronounce on a decision in due course.
Thumbs up for lease agreement investigation
We welcome and embrace the move by the Department of Public Works Roads and Transport, to task the forensic firm, Gobodo Incorporated, to investigate on our behalf the 10-year lease agreement purported to have cost the provincial government R664 million.
We are also extremely encouraged by the support from the national Minister of Public Works, Geoff Doidge, to deploy a technical team from his department to assist the province in this regards.
It is the unprecedented in our province that a national minister, upon hearing that the provincial government was making efforts to establish whether procedures in this regard were followed, was seen to be quick off the mark to assist. We are encouraged by that gesture from Minister Doidge.
We will, as we have done in the past, give Gobodo Incorporated our fullest support, corporation, space and time, to do their work.
Once they are done with the task at hand, the findings as well as their recommendation will be made public because the public has the every right to know more so it is public funds involved.
Rhino poaching
We wish express our utter shock and disgust at what appear to have been a sudden upsurge in the rhino poaching activities by syndicates targeting our prime tourist destinations.
During the month of September, four rhino carcasses with sawn-off horns were found in a Pilanesberg nature reserve and a fifth rhino was found still alive, but with its horns sawn off and with a gunshot wound in the back. It later died.
I am informed that brought the total number of rhinos poached in South Africa since January this year to two hundred and ten (210).
We are however encouraged by the swift action of police and other law enforcement agencies which has resulted in several arrests.
We call on the people of South Africa to report to police any suspicious movement especially that of low flying aircrafts and helicopters hovering above our game reserves.
I thank you.
