Michael Tlhakudi

The Free Sate provincial secretary of the South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco), Pat Qibi, claims he has been threatened with death.

Recently nine members of Sanco's provincial executive committee were subjected to disciplinary measures for allegedly bringing the organisation into disrepute.

Yesterday four of them were expelled from the organisation with immediate effect.

The other four were expelled from the provincial executive, but retained as members of the organisation.

The ninth member, Alwyn Witties, was suspended for two years.

Sechaba Marumo, Thamsanqa Mfazwe, Thabo Makhalanyane and Tlali Rakaki are no longer members of Sanco.

Lefa Kibe, Klaas Mohlaping, Vries Williams and Morgan Zinza have been expelled from the provincial executive committee of Sanco with immediate effect. The nine are expected to appeal the sanctions.

The group is alleged to have failed to attend executive meetings and-or tender apologies as required by the constitution of the organisation.

It is also alleged that the group was responsible for the division that was prevalent within Sanco in the province.

Qibi claims an unknown caller told him during a telephone conversation not to address the media or his " life will be taken away for good".

He has linked the threats to the expulsion of the nine members.

"We are aware that there are some members who are dividing and confusing the organisation. They have been warned to stop their activities and told that failure to do that might result in their dismissal," said Qibi.

"We would like to warn political opportunists who are using the organisation to advance and popularise their self interests to desist from doing so.

"Disciplined members of Sanco will stop at nothing to defend the image of the organisation," he said.

Sanco held its regional conference two weeks ago in Virginia when new leaders were elected.