This follows after the North West ANC Interim Provincial Committee (IPC) instructed members, including speakers, mayors and chief whips from five municipalities, to resign.

The ANC, which warned members who refuse to step down earlier, will see this as a direct challenge to its authority. The Matlosana speaker, Washington Ntozini, is now among a group of members in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District, which include Vryburg, who defied party orders to resign. ANC IPC coordinator, Hlomani Chauke, earlier in an interview with OFM News confirmed the party had received the resignation letters from some members but also added it was aware that a few have chosen to defy the orders. The ANC and Ntozini are yet to reply to OFM News’ inquiries.

Those axed in Matlosana include the former mayor, Maetu Kgaile, Speaker Ntozini, Ditsobotla mayor Daniel Buthelezi, Dr Ruth Segomotsi District executive mayor Boitumelo Mahlangu, speaker Lerato Setlhake, and chief whip Motaung Moseswa.

ANC IPC spokesperson, Kenny Morolong, told OFM News that the ANC in the province decided to recall these members after it had identified the collapse of service delivery, infighting, and municipal leaders relegating their authority to gangsters who he says are now in control of these municipalities.

Meanwhile, the axed ANC members in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi District Municipality launched a scathing attack on the IPC. The ANC regional secretary, Gaolatlhe Kgabo, who has also been axed by the IPC, described the IPC members as leaders with egos using what he says is a "legitimate office to advance illegitimate endeavours". Kgabo said reasons that were furnished by the IPC to communities for axing Troika members and the disbandment of the REC, are wild and far-reaching allegations.

OFM News