by Bkehi Mbanjwa and Andile Moshoeshoe 19 December 2008
THE African National Congress (ANC) is finding itself between a rock and a hard place as the long-fought dispute over a provincial home for Matatiele, unfolds. The latest situation has been further exacerbated by the revelation of a notable procedural distinction between ANC Secretary General, Gwede Mantashe, and Local Government Minister, Sicelo Shiceka.
Mantashe recently called for a referendum on the issue, to be canvassed after the elections which logistically, could not be held before, at least March 2009. Shiceka, on the other hand, wants a referendum in January. At a media briefing held in Durban on Monday, the Government indicated that it would prefer to settle the Matatiele demarcation matter out of court. The issue is currently before the Constitutional Court, where some Matatiele residents are trying to overturn the government’s decision to incorporate the town into the Eastern Cape Province.
The Speaker of the KZN legislature, Willies Mchunu, said that he has been alerted by the Minister for Provincial and Local Government, Sicelo Shiceka, of his intention to file an affidavit in the Constitutional Court. In the affidavit, Shiceka will argue that the matter can still be settled out of court and he will recommend the appointment of a task team “to re-engage with the community of Matatiele to seek a resolution of the matter.” The task team will report to the Minister by the end of January next year. That report by the task team will then guide the Minister, when making a final decision on the incorporation of Matatiele.
According to the Speaker, Shiceka has advised that a referendum on the issue will be called if the task team is unable to come up with any recommendation. He added that the Minister has prioritised the settlement of the Matatiele issue for his Department for 2009.
Mandla Galo, the convenor of the Matatiele Maluti Mass Action Organising Committee, a group that is at the forefront of the opposition to the town’s incorporation into the Eastern Cape, said that the committee had not been officially informed of the Minister’s intention. However, he said that the people of Matatiele are to engage with government on the issue. “I do not want to pre-empt anything but we have been calling for this issue to be amicably resolved. This is why we have engaged both government and leaders of the ruling party on this.” Galo said that the MAOC is due to meet with a delegation from the Department of Provincial and Local Government on Thursday.
THE appointment of the African Independent Congress (AIC) President and Convener of the Matatiele/Maluti Mass Action Organising Committee (MAOC), Mandla Galo, is brewing a storm among community members who are fighting to cement the incorporation of Matatiele into the Eastern Cape.
THE African National Congress (ANC) Chairman in the Alfred Nzo Region, Lulamile Mapholoba, has requested the State President and national ANC Chairman, Jacob Zuma, to make Matatiele his second home. Mapholoba, commonly known as Khonjwayo, his clan name, said this when proposing his vote of thank to the President for the way he has handled the issues of Matatiele.
The African National Congress in Matatiele has gained more seats in the recent floor-crossing window period with six former AIC members joining the ANC.
The President of the ANC Youth League Julius Malema lambasted the Mayor of Ingquza municipality in the Eastern Mpondoland, William Ngozi, whose ruling in that municipality he described as a mockery.
