Protesters in Mahikeng allegedly calling for Mahumapelo to step down

Protests reportedly broke out in Montshioa, Mahikeng, in the North West today, with residents burning tyres and blockading certain parts of the area, demanding that Premier Supra Mahumapelo vacate his post.

News24 reports that buses have been set alight as well and that the protesters also have an issue with service delivery.

A police spokesperson is quoted as saying: “Public order policing [units] are on scene and rubber bullets have been fired. At this stage, it is unclear if there have been arrests. Officers are still at the scene working.”

An EFF motion of no confidence in Mahumapelo was postponed yesterday by the speaker of the provincial legislature following a request from the party that the motion be deferred pending the outcome of an urgent high court application the party lodged to have voting done by way of a secret ballot.

Last week, Dantjie announced the voting would be done through an open ballot system, but the EFF believes voting should be done through a secret ballot because some ANC MPLs are said to be against the premier.

It is reported that some ANC members of the provincial legislature want Mahumapelo removed as the premier and for the provincial leadership to be disbanded.

Mahumapelo has claimed that ANC members who are behind attempts to unseat him as the premier are those who supported President Cyril Ramaphosa during the party’s elective conference last year, who now sought to rid the organisation of Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma’s backers.

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