Central SA
NW businesses, government to mend relations─── OLEBOGENG MOTSE 11:10 Tue, 15 Oct 2019
The North West government is today expected to engage members of the business community in Mahikeng in a desperate effort to mend the fractured relationship following the latest clash between the parties.
The Chairperson of the forum’s Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati district, Goitseane Legodu, tells OFM News they will be seeking clarity regarding the two cases of intimidation opened by the administrator, Samuel Thobakgale, and an unidentified official against members of the forum last week.
Police spokesperson, Sabata Mokgwabone, says they are investigating allegations that the two officials were threatened by members of the forum on Tuesday 8 October and Thursday 10 October. The latter incident has been described as an ambush at the provincial offices in Mahikeng that resulted in police being called to quell the tension. In addition to these two incidents, the members of the forum stand accused of disrupting open tender briefing sessions, alleging that they are being side-lined by the government. One such incident occurred on 3 October at the North West Provincial Legislature, where business owners alleged a substantial percentage of the contracts in the province are awarded to outside companies, primarily in Gauteng and Limpopo. These events were captured on social media platforms.
Business Forum attempting to disrupt a tender briefing worth 900million at the North West Provincial Legislature.... pic.twitter.com/usXAKmC0rS
— Teboho Gwan Letselela (@GWANAN18) October 3, 2019
The North West Business Forum Chairperson Xolani Mokitimi briefing the media on a alleged 900million tender.. pic.twitter.com/q3YlUgPRge
— Teboho Gwan Letselela (@GWANAN18) October 3, 2019
Legodu, who was amongst the members of the forum last on 10 October, says their sole intention was to enquire about available tenders and evaluate the contracts already awarded in the province. He acknowledges the situation became heated and insults were hurled but refutes the version of events that made it seem like the hurling of insults was not a two-way affair.
On top of this, the forum itself is allegedly not unified. Legodu would not elaborate much on the reasons behind the divisions within the forum but expresses the organisation hasn’t been unified since the death of former Chairperson, Wandile Bozwana, in 2015. The spokesperson for Premier Job Mokgoro’s office, Vuyisile Ngesi, could not be reached for comment on the meeting and the allegations levelled against the provincial government.
OFM News
