The ANC provincial list committee in the North West has written to the mayor of Madibeng local municipality Douglas Maimane demanding that he explain the entire process of his party nomination, which led to him leading the council.
In the letter seen by the Sowetan, provincial list committee (PLC) chairperson Lorna Maloney asked Maimane to provide information under oath as to who nominated him and the process that unfolded afterwards.
“The ANC North West province PLC are interested in you providing full clarity under oath as to who or which of the ANC structures and the communities that had the privilege of nominating the ANC local government elections 2021 candidates, nominated you and, for which position be it in a ward or PR list/s,” Maloney said in the letter.
The PLC gave Maimane until 4pm on Tuesday to provide the information.
Maimane dismissed the letter, saying his understanding is that the PLC in the North West was dissolved.
“There was correspondence from the province to the branches in which there was a clear directive that the PLC has been dissolved. It is just an unfortunate letter from the side of the PLC. It is regrettable, to say the least, that we have people who can stoop so low.
“I do not think they are being used by somebody. I do not believe in conspiracy theories. I do not believe that someone conspired against me. I can characterise that as just mere mischief,” Maimane said.
He added that he was nominated by the branches of the ANC and went through the stipulated process, including vetting, ahead of the elections.
Manipulation of lists in the North West was a huge problem ahead of the November 1 local government elections. Some of the members even took the party to court complaining about the process and the candidates that had been filled by the party.
Joe Mboweni, an official of the PLC, said the structure was investigating 183 complaints implicating 408 ANC members.
He described Maimane’s statement to Sowetan as being “economical with the truth”.
“The electoral committee and the PLCs are not disbanded. The PLC’s lifespan has been extended up to the end of June 2022 with an option to get extended.
“The PLC is investigating all people on whose behalf we received complaints from communities, ANC branches and alliance partners. When we get a complaint, we give the person a chance to reply...This is part of the ANC renewal process.
“The ANC will establish a tribunal that will be independent, which will on the basis of law, the constitution and Nasrec resolutions, look into the complaints, assess and pass a verdict of the necessary sanctions. You might see expulsions, suspensions, others may be found unfounded and dismissed,” Mboweni said.
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