Where is the Welkom Mayor’s chain and who took it?
These burning questions remain unanswered.
The Welkom chain was definitely still in the Matjhabeng council’s possession in 2016 when Nkosinjani Speelman was inaugurated as the mayor. However, when it came around to Thanduloxo Khalipha’s turn to be inaugurated as the mayor of Matjhabeng in November 2021, the chain was missing and a substitute chain then had to be used for his ceremony.
According to Tshediso Tlali, spokesperson for Matjhabeng, there are 15 mayoral chains still in their possession and all are safely stored in a secured bank vault.
Tlali says the existing chains comprise seven mayoral chains (Allanridge, Odendaalsrus, Kutlwanong, Virginia, Welkom, Hennenman and Ventersburg), five mayoress chains (Virginia, Welkom, Allanridge, Hennenman, Odendaalsrus), and three deputy mayoral chains (Virginia, Allanridge and Odendaalsrus).
According to photographic records, Vista could ascertain that before 1990, Welkom, Virginia and Odendaalsrus each had four sets of chains (mayor, mayoress, deputy mayor, and deputy mayoress).
Hennenman only had a mayoral chain and chest lapel pins.
Allanridge, Nyakallong and Kutlwanong each had a mayoral chain.
On 1 December 1983, Thabong was one of the first black townships to receive municipal status, complete with its own mayor, its own council and its own chain.
Capt. Christopher Singo, spokesperson for the Hawks, has confirmed that the case of the missing Welkom mayoral chain is still under investigation and that no arrests have been made yet.
Tlali says that according to Matjhabeng’s asset register, there is no chain that is valued at R25 million. He confirms that the Welkom chain is missing.
“There are charges laid and the matter is in the hands of law enforcement agencies,” he says.
