The Northern Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NOCCI) Kimberley is facing intense scrutiny due to a series of events that have raised concerns about political conflict, censorship, and transparency.
The Initial Confrontation
The incident began with critical questions raised by multiple members of the public, including the media, on a Facebook post by NOCCI Kimberley, sharing an update from Sol Plaatje Municipality about water interruptions. The comments included queries about the responsibilities of Ward Councillors and raised concerns about the CEO’s alleged political conflict of interest, given her affiliation with the DA.
Jade Daly-Rauff initiated the conversation by asking, “Adri Bouma ask NOCCI when they were going to tell us about the PA and Ward 1?” NOCCI Kimberley’s response suggested that residents should address such concerns directly with their ward councillors or the Sol Plaatje Call Centre. Dissatisfied with the response, Jade remarked, “NOCCI Kimberley, you do not understand the question.” She continued, saying, “And while NOCCI is a business organization, you (CEO) most definitely align yourself very well. You are quick to throw a new spokesperson under the bus, as you did a couple of weeks ago but also only offer half-stories.”
CEO’s Response and Allegations
The Kimberley Prospector supported Jade’s inquiry by posing a question about the CEO’s ability to separate business from politics, given her dual roles as the CEO of NOCCI Kimberley and a part-time DA Ward Councillor for Sol Plaatje Municipality (SPM), as indicated by her LinkedIn profile.
Jade also replied to another member of the public, stating: “Amelia Hayman then they (NOCCI) shouldn’t inform us of water updates either?”
The dialogue took a heated turn as NOCCI Kimberley responded rudely to residents. Amelia Hayman’s comment about NOCCI sharing water updates prompted a curt response from NOCCI Kimberley, “Amelia Hayman, you are more than welcome to leave this group.”
The Kimberley Prospector weighed in, expressing concerns about NOCCI’s verbatim sharing of information and questioned NOCCI’s reference to “group”, considering the dialogue was taking place on a Facebook page.
The Kimberley Prospector questioned how NOCCI separates business from politics, especially considering the CEO’s dual roles. Instead of responding to questions asking for clarity, the CEO, in turn, demanded proof of her current political affiliation, leading to a tense exchange with the media outlet and other residents.
Censorship and Ban
In response to NOCCI’s claim that they routinely receive excellent service from ward councillors, another resident, Michael Hawthorne, highlighted his inability to communicate with his ward councillor, alleging citizen abuse by a DA councillor who had banned him from his municipal ward group. Despite seeking assistance, NOCCI Kimberley defended the ward councillor stating: “Please refrain from accusing Cllrs” and continued to dismiss the matter.
Michael further raised concerns about communicating issues through ward councillors, asking, “NOCCI Kimberley, are we not allowed to communicate issues through ward councillors? Must we only report issues via the call centre?” Michael further revealed his personal experience, saying, “I can’t even speak to my ward councillor because he removed and banned me upon joining my own SPM Ward 25 WhatsApp group.”
NOCCI Kimberley deflected, suggesting that Michael should address the matter directly with the relevant political group. Michael clarified that it was not a political group but an official municipal ward group, emphasizing the issue of citizen abuse.
Some time later Michael’s comments about his experience with a DA Ward Councillor were removed and he was subsequently banned from the NOCCI Kimberley’s Facebook page.
Media’s Role and Public Outcry
The Kimberley Prospector continued to probe the CEO’s political affiliation, raising concerns about the transparency of information shared by NOCCI. Other residents echoed these sentiments, suggesting that NOCCI should share relevant posts from Sol Plaatje Municipality rather than posting verbatim updates.
Richard Jones said: “My suggestion is that NOCCI should simply ‘share’ relevant posts from SPM, posts such as the one above, rather than posting the text directly. Otherwise, it can look as if it is a NOCCI press release. I’m sure that’s much of the confusion people seem to have.
We agree with Richard, and the same concerns were reported in our article: Information Integrity Under Scrutiny Amidst Kimberley’s Water Crisis.
In the CEO’s refusal to clarify whether she was still a DA Ward Councillor, we contacted the National DA for clarification on the CEO’s political status, revealing on 22 January, 2 days later, that she is no longer a DA Councillor after 2021 and is currently an ordinary DA member.
Unanswered Questions and Public Distrust
Despite the clarification from the DA, questions linger about the CEO’s political conflict of interest during her tenure as a councillor. The motives behind banning and removing critical comments directed at her past colleague, a DA councillor, on the Facebook post remain unclear, fueling public distrust and suspicion. NOCCI’s hostility to residents and failure to address concerns about information transparency further adds to the growing controversy.
NOCCI Kimberley CEO’s past involvement in local politics and its handling of critical comments have raised concerns about transparency, accountability, and potential political conflicts of interest.
The Kimberley Prospector sent a media enquiry to NOCCI Kimberley via email, but at the time of publication, has not received correspondence in reply.
The organization faces scrutiny from both residents and the media, with unanswered questions leaving a cloud of uncertainty over its role in representing business interests while navigating the complexities of local politics. The incident highlights the importance of open communication and transparency in fostering trust between organizations and the communities they serve.