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All eyes on Mokgoro's #NWSopa

───   LUCKY NKUYANE 09:24 Thu, 25 Feb 2021

All eyes on Mokgoro's #NWSopa | News Article

The embattled North West premier, Job Mokgoro, is set to deliver his State of the Province Address (SOPA) on Thursday under very peculiar conditions as all eyes are set on him.

Mokgoro is set to deliver SOPA while being suspended by his own political party, which is the governing party of the ANC. He will also be delivering this SOPA while his province and several municipalities are under administration for corruption, fraud and failure to deliver services to residents. 

During Thursday's Sopa, the Premier will be under pressure to address the alleged looting of state resources meant to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Mokgoro and his MECs held the annual two-day Executive Committee Meeting (EXCO) Planning Lekgotla earlier and the province’s capacity to deliver services to the people of the province, the acceleration of the economic recovery, and the economic reform against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic were assessed.

The meeting was attended virtually by Members of the Executive Council, mayors, administrators and heads of departments, amongst others.

A political analyst, Dr Sethulego Matebesi, tells OFM News that Mokgoro faces similar challenges besieging the current ANC president, Cyril Ramaphosa, of a fightback campaign. 

Matebesi says since Mokgoro took over from his predecessor, Supra Mahumapelo, concerted efforts have been made to try and resolve the issues in the province but he is facing challenges of internal battles. Matebesi says it’s been difficult for Mokgoro because allies of the former premier do not want to see any progress in terms of development in the province.

However, political parties in the province pulled no punches in criticising the premier for the alleged lack of leadership and accused him of failing to take decisive action against corruption.

Both the EFF and the DA are of the view that since Mokgoro took over the reins, he has achieved nothing to improve the lives of residents whilst poverty, unemployment and corruption levels thrive. At least twelve municipalities, including JB Marks, which includes Potchefstroom, Lekwa Teemane and Madibeng are under threat of being placed under administration.

During his last Sopa in February 2020, Mokgoro said the dysfunctional state of the municipalities, some of which are still under administration, leave much to be desired. Mokgoro further announced progress was made around the controversial VBS Mutual Bank case where four municipalities illegally invested R314 million of taxpayers’ money.

He told Members of the Provincial Legislature that the disciplinary processes were concluded at the Mahikeng Local Municipality and the Hawks’ investigation was ongoing. Mokgoro added that the process of a disciplinary process has been concluded at the Moretele Local Municipality and a report is expected to be handed to the municipal council.


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