Sat May 25 13:59:18 SAST 2013
Sat May 25 13:59:18 SAST 2013

Premier dares Zuma to arrest him

Jan 6, 2012 | Alex Matlala | 229 comments

LIMPOPO Premier Cassel Mathale has dared President Jacob Zuma's government to arrest him if there has been any wrongdoing on his part, instead of "punishing innocent service providers".

This was Mathale's first public outburst since the national government took over administration of several departments in the province after reports of financial maladministration.

The move has been described as a ploy by Zuma to punish those, like Mathale, who are opposed to his serving a second term.

Several service providers have also complained that they had not been paid since the takeover.

"It is quite upsetting to punish the people of Limpopo for the 'wrongs' that they did not commit. I for one have received my salary on December 15. The same goes to all government public servants.

"But we cannot say the same about service providers who rendered much needed services," Mathale said yesterday while delivering a message of support for matriculants in Polokwane.

"They had to face a black Christmas with their families because they were not paid for their work. Their children had to spend Christmas without new clothes and now they are faced with an uphill battle to raise funds to send their children to school. I am going to take it up with the powers that might be at a national level," he said.

The five Limpopo provincial departments put under administration are education, led by MEC Dickson Masemola, treasury led, by MEC David Masondo, public works, led by MEC Thabitha Mohlala, health, led by MEC Dikeledi Magadzi, and roads and transport, led by MEC Pinky Kekana

Mathale came under scrutiny late last year after Cosatu and the SACP accused him and his provincial administration of being corrupt. The two accused Mathale and his cronies of awarding lucrative tenders worth about R1.5-billion to companies with which they have links.

"If there is anyone with tangible evidence to these accusations why can't they arrest me?" Mathale asked yesterday.

He also indicated that national Treasury had not yet signed a memorandum of understanding which outlined the kind of technical support national government would provide to the Limpopo administration to resolve the financial situation in the province.

"We have also agreed in principle that public services would not be interrupted by the decision of the national government. But today we are baffled that our innocent service providers are still the ones to endure pain," he said.

Comments

Sat May 25 13:59:18 SAST 2013 ::
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Jan 6, 2012

tibza

It shows well that the decisions to put Limpopo under administration was based in anger and to make Premier Mathale a failure before the provincial election for people to loose trust in him.....National goverment has not paid service providers so the question is...who is fooling who here?
HAPPY NEW ALL
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Jan 6, 2012

TheNewFreedomFighter

And so it goes on an on in the fascist ANC! Their ingnorance and lack of education drives unprescendented incompetence and no vision; their cadre deployment policy keeps the clique in power; their perverted morality ensures that decisions are not taken for the good of the people but for the good of themselves; their selfish, inward looking personalities drive corruption; their insecurity promotes infighting; their racism drives divisions in SA that even Verwoerd would be proud of. And what are the consequences for SA: raging povery; massive, unprescedented levels of unemployment; poor service delivery; arrogant leaders; declining standards in health, education, transport and governance; increased racial divisions and so on and on and on.

The ANC party this week reminds me of the massive May Day celebrations held by the communists in Moscow during the Cold War. Despite the fact that their system was dying the old guard clung to power. Billions were spent on bolstering a state machine that was dysfunctional while the people were kept in poverty.

...and then one day, when the people just couldn't anymore, they revolted and threw them all out.

Remember: On Black Tuesday 2011 the ANC government became a fascist regime.
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Jan 6, 2012

candilious

ANC jassas youwill do anything to keep your hands in the cookie jar tsek man maak naar
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Jan 6, 2012

RobinH

I think I must support Mathale here. The whole shambles stinks of jackboots, I agree, NewFreedomFighter.
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Jan 6, 2012

RobinH

Morning Candi: I see the children haven't arrived yet. Have a good day.
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Jan 6, 2012

candilious

@RobinH.-Morning my naartjie pit ja nee ,jy ook geniet jou dag
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Jan 6, 2012

SifisoHadebe

My suggestion is that President Zuma should hire an army of forensic accountants to go over the books of Cassel Mathale's departments.
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Jan 6, 2012

Arewanga

Zuma and his stupidity can not do anything to Mathale.
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Jan 6, 2012

candilious

@SifisoHadebe- I agree but bribary is so in know anybody would crook for a quick buck$$$ these days cannot trust anybody seriously.

Coz if Gvmt wasserious on cleaning itself up it willnever take so long to investigate it should be 1st Priority. So this is all a Political stunt to confuse the masses again just for blerrie votes
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Jan 6, 2012

RobinH

Sifiso - Maybe their brief should extend to examining his books and assets, which, as far as I recall, have not yet been fully declared as is required of any sitting parliamentarian. Just a thought.
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