By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The North West African National Congress (ANC) deputy chairperson and MEC for Social Development, Lazarus Mokgosi, has been elected unopposed and sworn in as the new premier.
The proceedings were presided over by Judge Ronald Hendricks from the North West High Court.
MEC for Agricultural and Rural Development, Desbo Mohono, was elected as the speaker of the provincial legislature, also unopposed.
Despite the province battling service delivery and sky-high unemployment, newly-elected Mokgosi has spoken highly of his predecessor, Bushy Maape.
On his remarks of being elected premier said, “Honorable Premier Maape, the lessons of your leadership shall be the guide that we navigate in the next five years- and we hope you will still be available to provide sanction and counsel when required,” Mokgosi said.
Mokgosi has promised that the first item on his agenda will be the rollout of a labour activation programme to address joblessness in the province.
He declared that youth employment will be the focus of the province from now on.
“If you are not talking about jobs for youth, you aren’t talking to me or the province, as the key priority is now to create more jobs for hundreds of unemployed young people in the province,” said Mokgosi.
Meanwhile Freedom Front Plus (FF+) in the North West Legislature expressed dissapointment on the election of the Mokgosi as the new Premier of the ANC-controlled North West.
Mokgosi has been surrounded by controversy since 2016 when he and five other ANC-deployed senior managers of North West’s Department of Public Works were suspended for their alleged involvement in several irregularities uncovered by a forensic investigation.
The party said, “A forensic investigator, Open Waters, was appointed in 2014 to investigate suspected irregularities in the Department. The report on the investigation’s findings was never released.
Mokgosi’s election only strengthens the impression that the ANC in the North West will protect, and even reward, corrupt ANC cadres at all costs. Clearly, the province is still in the grip of the ANC’s corruption troika, read the stamement.”
The FF Plus added that they will demand that the entire 2016 report by Open Water be disclosed to determine whether Mokgosi is a suitable candidate to serve as the premier.
“North West residents have been bearing the brunt of corruption and the looting of public funds under consecutive ANC governments for too long now.”