MATIKA RESIGNS

“It is important not to appear as arrogant,” replied Matika to questions on his resignation. He is to thank communities for having had him as mayor.

According to secretary Deshi Ngxanga disciplinary procedures are to be instituted against councillors that were perceived to have colluded with the Democratic Alliance (DA) in its motion of no confidence against Matika. Northern Cape High Court ultimately dismissed his ousting.

He added that national officials are to be consulted regarding resolve of 8th Provincial Conference on recall of Premier Sylvia Lucas which has also recently resurfaced. He added that matter is “urgent.”

ANC STATEMENT ON THE SOL-PLAATJE SUB-REGION

The African National Congress in the Northern Cape has since the last media briefing, been in engagements with the NEC convenor to the Province, Comrade Colleen Maine as well as the REC officials of the Frances Baard Region. We have deliberated on a number of issues as it relates to the concerns raised by the community.
We have at all times, since the beginning of the protests in our community, initiated meetings with the representatives of the community, we have by all means possible met all the demands that were brought to us by the community. We have never opted to take the route of antagonising our communities, and that we have no intention of doing.

On Saturday, the ANC convened a special Provincial Executive Committee meeting, where the Sol-Plaatje Municipality matter was discussed at length this including the judgement in the case against the Democratic Alliance vs Mangaliso Matika passed by Judge President Pule Tlaletsi. The PEC is of the view that the Judgement made in the Northern Cape High Court affirms what we have always maintained as the ANC, that the meeting held on the 05 July 2018 at the Sol-Plaatjie Municipality Chambers was illegal and of no legal standing. We are pleased that the court was able to demonstrate that the Democratic Alliance was once again opportunistic in their attempt to remove an ANC Mayor through the use of illegal means and play petty politics with the genuine issues that have been raised by the community. The court has helped to establish the principle that we wanted affirmed legally.

ON THE 106 INVESTIGATION

The PEC has also noted that the MEC of COGHSTA has given the team dealing with the 106 investigation an extension until the end of September 2018. We respect the decision made by the MEC and call on the team dealing with the report to ensure that they leave no stone unturned in ensuring that those who have done wrong at the municipality are brought to book. As the ANC we have full confidence in the team and are confident that they will be able to execute the task at hand. We are committed to the fight against corruption and will ensure that anyone, irrespective of the position they hold, if found guilty should suffer the full might of the law. We further call on all those that have made allegations to approach the team and submit the requisite evidence instead of engaging with these matters through unsubstantiated allegations and innuendo.

ON THE RESIGNATION OF COMRADE MANGALISO MATIKA AS THE MAYOR OF SOL-PLAATJE

We have been in constant engagement with Comrade Matika, leadership of the REC, branches of the ANC. After much deliberations and considerations, the PEC welcomes the resignation of Comrade Matika as the Mayor of the Sol-Plaatje Municipality in the interest of the community that we serve and in order to ensure that his name is not used in the looting, burning, inconvenience caused to our community, learners in particularly the people of Galeshewe. We respect him for taking the decision that he has taken and know that he will continue to lead the ANC in the Region as the Chairperson. We would like to thank him for the service and commitment to the people of Sol-Plaatje. There has been some good work done by Comrade Matika, the Household Lights in Ivory Park and Diamant Park, Opening of an Internet Café and Youth Centre in Ritchie, Traffic Lights around Galeshewe he has been in consistent contact with communities. We truly appreciate the work done by Comrade Matika and wish him well in his future endeavours.

The ANC will commence with its internal process to ensure that we get a suitable comrade to replace Comrade Matika. We will follow all processes as per the constitution of the ANC. The ANC Regional Executive Committee will provide the Provincial Executive Committee with three names in order of priority and the names will be processed. Thereafter we will announce the name of the ANC comrade who will be the Mayor of the Sol-Plaatje Municipality. We would like to appeal to all ANC branches and the community to afford the ANC space for the processes to unfold ensuring that we have a capable Mayor.

ON THE PREMIER OF THE PROVINCE

There was a resolution that was taken at the 8th Provincial Conference of the ANC, there has been the first round of engagements with the National officials and the Provincial Executive Committee of the ANC will be going back to the officials.

Issued by the African National Congress- Northern Cape
Deshi Ngxanga
Provincial Secretary
Media Enquiries
Naledi Gaosekwe
Media Liaison Coordinator