Community dangles SACP hat to rejected ANC candidate councillor in Madibeng

The ANC in the North West risks losing a ward it has dominated or being forced to succumb to the demands of the Maboloka community in Brits.

A councillor chosen by the ANC branch under the Madibeng municipality is being rejected by the party in favour of another candidate, prompting some community members to push for their preferred candidate to contest the ward under the South African Communist Party (SACP) banner.

Councillor John Raletele has been approached to stand as an SACP candidate after the ANC moved to reject his nomination for another term as ward councillor in Madibeng.

The ANC is expected to announce its mayoral candidates soon as the deadline looms for the IEC to close candidate registration ahead of the November polls.

The ANC local branch has raised concerns with the party and was awaiting a response while the community was already weighing up options.

Richard Nkutswe, the Maboloka branch coordinator who submitted Raletele’s name, told the Sunday Times that he was awaiting a response from the ANC’s regional structure and was unaware of any other candidate being considered, as other nominees had withdrawn from the race.

“Other candidates withdrew when we went to the community meeting, and the community said we wanted John Raletele,” Nkutswe said.

However, it has since emerged that one of the candidates who withdrew is now being considered by the regional structure, which has already informed Raletele of the decision.

“But Raletele was confirmed as the sole candidate of the ward in terms of the forms that I have signed as the branch co-ordinator,” Nkutswe said.

The development has angered members of the community, who are refusing to accept the ANC’s preferred candidate. Some are now mooting the possibility of Raletele contesting the November local government elections under the SACP banner.

Nkutswe said the community was angry and confused. He was also awaiting a formal response from the ANC after raising his concerns in a letter last week.

“I am disappointed about our leadership, and I will make a follow-up to understand what is happening, as people are angry and disappointed,” Nkutswe said.

Asked about moves for Raletele to be considered as an SACP candidate, Nkutswe declined to comment, saying he would await a response from the ANC before entertaining any other idea.

Meanwhile, Raletele confirmed that he was being “courted” by other parties seeking to contest the ward.