North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo.
Embattled North West Premier Supra Mahumapelo has told the provincial legislature that he will hand over a letter to the speaker on Friday.
Mahumapelo, who was delivering his budget speech on Tuesday, did not say what the letter would include, but indicated it would be in line with the Constitution.
Quoting late president Nelson Mandela, Mahumapelo said: “The time for healing of the wounds has come. The moment to bridge the chasms that divide us has come. The time to build is upon us.”
He said it was a “miracle” that recent events had reignited a spirit of resilience that kept the longing for liberation alive.
Last month, President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed an inter-ministerial task team to address the apparent crisis in the province, particularly in the health sector.
READ MORE: ANC will ‘tread carefully’ to quell unrest in North West
Hawks’ raid
The deadline for the task team to report back to the Presidency on the state of governance in the province is May 9.
The North West has been rocked by violent protests calling on Mahumapelo to step down.
The health department has also crumbled after members of the National Health, Education and Allied Workers Union embarked on a strike more than two months ago.
The Hawks raided the premier’s office earlier this year and are investigating several allegations against him and his government.
READ MORE: Hawks find what they were looking for in raid on North West Premier’s offices
These include a mobile clinic contract awarded by the North West department of health to Gupta-linked Mediosa, and a R1.5-million gift of cattle to former president Jacob Zuma.
READ MORE: Hawks to investigate Supra’s alleged cattle gift to Zuma
Democratic Alliance provincial leader Joe Mcgluwa labelled Mahumapelo’s speech “nothing but a Gupta budget”.
“This budget of the premier has served as a platform for corrupt individuals and a corrupt syndicate. There has been too many allegations of his involvement in corruption.”
Mcgluwa said the party strongly believed that Mahumapelo would resign on Friday.
“The fact that his wife was here today is a strong indication that he is on his way out. Should that be the case, we say good riddance and we wish him well.”
Mcgluwa was speaking on the side-lines following Mahumapelo’s speech.