SEDIBENG – What was meant to be a sincere farewell for former Emfuleni Local Municipality MMC and Ward 41 councillor Sandile ‘Tumi’ Mochawe turned into a political battlefield.
ANC leaders and party members traded sharp blows during an emotional memorial service held at the Race Relations Community Church in Lakeside on July 2.
The service exposed deep divisions within the ANC in Sedibeng. Different speakers used the podium not only to honour the legacy of Mochawe, who passed away at a local hospital following a short illness, but also to fire shots at party leadership and internal factional battles.
Attendees remembered Mochawe as a fearless leader who never shied away from speaking his mind.
High-profile figures in attendance included ANC Provincial Deputy Coordinator Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, Gauteng Legislature Deputy Chairperson of Committees Thulani Kunene, Finance Portfolio Committee Chairperson Dr Andiswa Mosai, and Gauteng MPL Bones Modise. Businessman Riaz Choonara and controversial community activist Themba ‘Vutha’ Mnisi were also present.
The mood shifted dramatically when ANC Youth League Sedibeng Chairperson Wandile Maluleke delivered a burning address from the podium. “We know the views of Comrade Tumi Mochawe. He spoke openly about where he wanted the ANC to go,” Maluleke said.
“This is an opportunity for us as the leadership of the ANC to continue his legacy. We are going to take over where he left off, and we are not going to be intimidated, because he was never easily intimidated.”
Tensions escalated further when family spokesperson George Nxebesha revealed that some ANC members had allegedly been turned away when they attempted to visit the grieving family. Nxebesha accused sections of the organisation of treating Mochawe unfairly.
In a rare moment of reflection, Nkomo-Ralehoko acknowledged the divisions plaguing the ANC in Sedibeng and apologised to the Mochawe family.
While celebrating Mochawe’s revolutionary life, she admitted it was painful that leadership was only trying to fix the situation after so much damage had already been done.
“The responsibility of those of us leading the ANC is to unite this region. We accept our sins as the ANC, and we want to apologise to the family. We are saying to the younger generation: do not be divided by our disagreements. Rather, unite so that your unity can unite us.”
