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The Democratic Alliance in North West holds North West Premier, Supra Mahumapelo, personally accountable for the chaos that erupted at a meeting in Klerksdorp yesterday evening, 25 January 2017.

People sustained light injuries, property was damaged and the SAPS had to intervene after local business people were denied access to a meeting with Premier Supra Mahumapelo.

It is suspicious that this meeting was advertised as a meeting between the Premier and local business people, but only a few people were granted access to the Matlosana Council Chambers.

We are even more shocked about the lies and secrecy. When the DA asked about the meeting, the Premier's office denied it was taking place. This is despite revealing details of the planned meeting as advertised in a newspaper and on the NW Government website.

The aim of the meeting, according to the newspaper ad, was to deliberate on the creation of employment opportunities for the youth in Matlosana

It was worrying to see that this meeting was in fact non-inclusive, but rather a very private meeting where only limited business people were invited.

At the entrance, there was a guests-list accompanied by the attendance register. If not invited or not appearing on the list, no access was permitted. DA members and Councillors were also not allowed into the building.

The VTSD (Villages, Towns and Small Dorpies) chairpersons representing their areas were denied access meaning some areas, Jouberton, Khuma, Stilfontein and Kanana were not represented.

The Premier, Mayor, Speaker, MMC's and a number of people were in the Mayor's Hall where the event took place, instead of the auditorium as advertised.

Outside the building, those not allowed in were fighting with the security officials and among each other. The fingerprint machine was damaged, as some forced entry through security. Some also threatening to shoot in order to gain entrance.

The youth were upset and accused the ANC that this is another scheme from the ANC to misuse funds, find loopholes in tenders and a way of getting kickbacks because only some established business people were invited.

This once again proves our point that Supra and his ANC cronies only care about a few connected cadres who are in the game to enrich themselves, while the youth of this area are in desperate need for jobs and help to become entrepreneurs.

The DA joins the public outcry following the shambolic meeting, and echoes the people's call for the Premier to resign.

Issued by DA North West