This followed after the standoff resulted in violent protest for close to three weeks and shut down schools and clinics. The Premier’s spokesperson, Vuyisile Ngesi, says the premier invoked the Traditional Leadership and Governance Act, Act No 2 of 2005, with immediate effect. He says this intervention measures involve the appointment of investigators. Ngesi says the scope of the investigation is going to include the allegations of maladministration and corruption that were levelled against the Tribal Council by protestors.

“The people wanted the premier to put in place an administrator to take over the day to day running of the administration of the traditional council. But for the premier to do that he needed the complete by-in of the entire royal family and the traditional council,” says Ngesi.

Ngesi says the invoked section 10 (2) states that the Premier may, subject to the provisions of this Act and the Constitution, and with due observation of the tradition applicable in a traditional community, take such steps as may be necessary to ensure the due performance of the functions referred to in subsection(1).

He says, on the other hand, Section 9(3) states that the Premier may take such steps, not inconsistent with this Act, to ensure proper administration and good governance by traditional councils.

Premier Mokgoro told the community that the intervention measures to be put in place would involve the appointment of investigators with clear terms of references relating to issues raised around the administration and good governance.

Meanwhile, the Premier on Thursday announced the establishment of a Provincial Executive Council (Exco) Task Team set to inspect and deal with the sporadic violent public protests in the province.

Premier Mokgoro’s decision comes in the wake of an increase in violent protests in the province, which often lead to the destruction and torching of public and private properties. Property in Mathibestad at the Moretele Local Municipality in the Bojanala district, that includes Rustenburg, was on Wednesday set alight by angry residents who are complaining about service delivery.

OFM News/Lucky Nkuyane