Congress of the People (Cope) leaders in Limpopo have accused the provincial ANC member of the provincial legislature and self-proclaimed Paramount Chief of Venda, Kennedy Tshivhase, of threatening local chiefs with demotion if they supported the newly formed ANC splinter party.
Cope provincial secretary in Limpopo and regional organiser in Vhembe, Avhatakali Mulaudzi, told the Mail & Guardian this week that on more than one occasion Tshivhase has threatened to remove local chiefs who supported Cope activities. As a result, the chiefs would lose their annual government salaries of R144 000.
Tshivhase this week rejected Mulaudzi’s claims.
‘I can’t remember saying something like that. That’s a lie. I will never utter those words. I don’t have the power to say that. All that I was trying to tell the chiefs was the importance of being in the ANC. I told them that the ANC was formed by traditional and religious leaders and that I can’t divorce myself from the ANC,†said Tshivhase.
The alleged threats by Tshivhase come as the campaigns for next year’s elections gather momentum. Political parties are scrambling to win the crucial support of traditional leaders who have significant influence over their communities.
Vhembe, which is the third largest ANC region in Limpopo, has about 28 chiefs.
Although the region is regarded as a stronghold for ANC president Jacob Zuma, traditional leaders there are said to enjoy a close relationship with Limpopo Premier Sello Moloto, a staunch Mbeki supporter.
Earlier this year Moloto, who is also linked to Cope, bought new 4×4 vehicles for all the traditional leaders.
The region is also home for another Mbeki ally, former local and provincial minister Sydney Mufamadi.
Although Tshivhase did not enjoy the support of local chiefs in Vhenda, he is understood to have used his political connections to ascend to the throne as king of Vhavhenda. Now, with Cope support in the region slowly gathering momentum, Tshivhase has been accused of abusing his powers.
Said Mulaudzi: ”This [the threats] is now a matter of public knowledge. He [Tshivhase] said this on more than one occasion. He said it in the provincial legislature and repeated it when he addressed traditional leaders in Tshivase recently. He repeats the same threats whenever he addresses people in the region. He goes around telling traditional leaders that the ANC was the only organisation to vote for. He told them that if any of them voted for Cope, they would be demoted. This can’t be right. Nobody has the right to tell people what party to vote for,†said Mulaudzi.
Limpopo ANC chairperson Cassel Mathale said he was not surprised by Cope’s claims against Tshivase because the party would do anything to demonise anyone who associated with the ANC.
‘What I know is that he [Tshivase] has been saying he is in the ANC because his forefathers were members of the ANC. He has never threatened anyone. These people want to rub out the history of the ANC but they won’t win. They are not a threat in Limpopo. Limpopo is the ANC,†said Mathale.