"The SACP calls upon all ANC members and SACP cadres, including Cosatu members to ensure that we mobilise the people of Tlokwe to vote for the ANC overwhelming [sic], so that we can rightly re-claim this municipality from the party of the baases and madams," SACP general secretary Blade Nzimande said in a speech on Sunday.
He was speaking at the Ikageng Stadium in Potchefstroom ahead of the party's 92nd birthday celebrations next month. The celebrations would be held in Tlokwe, the municipality which has its seat in the town. Nzimande said they condemned those ANC members who had voted with the DA and other opposition parties to unseat ANC mayor Maphetle Maphetle.
He was replaced by DA councillor Annette Combrink in July, the second time since November. The North West ANC's disciplinary committee expelled the councillors concerned, resulting in them losing their seats. Nzimande said the ANC should fix the problems in the area. "It is important that the ANC itself must act with speed to attend to whatever problems, including suspected corruption, against its own cadres. But, no matter what grievance any ANC cadre may have, this cannot be translated to the betrayal of the ANC," he said.
The ANC in the North West has vowed to win the forthcoming by-elections in Tlokwe and elsewhere in the province. On Friday, ANC spokesperson Ishmael Mnisi said: [We] continue to intensify our efforts to mobilise members and support in Tlokwe for the forthcoming by-elections."
"In other regions the ANC is content that we will emerge victorious as well." – Sapa