Johannesburg - The EFF in the North West claims the decision by Premier Supra Mahumapelo to reshuffle his provincial cabinet was taken in Dubai and “influenced by the Guptas”.
The claims were made by EFF MPL Alfred Motsi - a former prominent member of the ANC and Umkhonto we Sizwe soldier who went into exile along with Des van Rooyen, the now Minister of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs in the cabinet.
Motsi broke ranks with the ANC following the callous murder of fellow ANC member and councillor Moss Phakoe, believing he was killed by their comrades in the ANC.
The EFF said in March a Chinese business delegation visited their province to secure investment deals. Motsi said the Chinese also showed interest “in our donkeys” and wanted them exported to China.
In April, Motsi said: “Supra went to China on a business trip, among other things trying to sell our donkeys to the Chinese as they had already agreed in export terms.”
He further claimed “Supra was then instructed to come to Dubai by the Guptas while in China. The Guptas then informed Supra they would organise some businesses in Dubai so the trip could be official. That's when Supra, MEC of Finance Wendy Nelson and MEC Manketse Tlhape off-ramped to Dubai.
“According to Supra, they met 52 Dubai companies that wanted to invest in the North West. What’s surprising is that 13 of them belonged to the Guptas,” he said.
Motsi said he was told that Mahumapelo, while in Dubai, had a one-on-one meeting with Atul and Ajay Gupta, who allegedly told him to go ahead with reshuffling.
During his reshuffling, Mahumapelo removed MEC for Education Wendy Matsemela and replaced her with his deputy in the ANC, David Lehari.
Other appointments were those of ANC provincial treasurer Kgakgi Nkewu, who was appointed as the MEC Social Development. Nkewu is a former councillor and speaker of Taung Local Municipality.
Ontlametse Mochware, a former mayor of Kagisano-Molopo Municipality in Ganyesa, was appointed as MEC for Traditional Affairs. It would be Mochware’s second stint in the North West Legislature after serving as MEC for Social Development for just one day in May 2014. She had to be removed because the ANC failed to follow proper procedures to appoint her.
However, it was the removal of Matsemela and Molapisi that angered Motsi.
“Wendy Matsemela is an excellent person who is in the wrong political party; she was always available to North West communities and treated the opposition with respect at all times.
“She is fit to be the premier and Supra felt threatened by her popularity with the residents of NW, as she humbled herself even when faced by protesting communities.
“MEC Saliva Molapisi was removed for knowing too much; SAPS Crime Intelligence briefed him on illegal deals conducted by ANC NW politicians as well as the premier and his cronies, hence his removal as MEC.
“Supra doesn't like people who know too much as they are a threat to him,” Motsi said.
Reacting to the allegations, Mahumpelo’s spokesman, Brian Setswambung, said: “There is nothing that compels premiers to give reasons for the reshuffling.
“However, Premier Mahumapelo gave reasons for the reshuffling and they remain the official stance of the Office of the Premier,” Setswambung said. “Mahumapelo and the ANC North West were unanimous in the view that new appointments serve to strengthen and stabilise the executive and would fast-track the delivery of services to our people.
Sunday Independent