Following the arrest of two councillors on corruption charges, the ANC confirmed that both officials have stepped aside.
Two ANC councillors from Emalahleni local municipality in Mpumalanga were released on R8 000 bail each after their second court appearance in a corruption case in the Emalahleni Magistrate’s Court today.
They are expected to make their third court appearance on 4 June. The accused were warned by the court not to enter the municipality premises or leave the district without the knowledge of the investigating officer.
MMC for technical services Busi Hlumbane and MMC for development and planning Jerry Djiana were arrested by the Hawks last week.
They allegedly received a R20 000 bribe believed to be part of an alleged R500 000 demanded from a businessman to extend a lease agreement.
They appeared in court for the first time last Thursday, facing counts of extortion, corruption and defeating the ends of justice. They were denied bail.
R60 000 shared equally
Mpumalanga police spokesperson lieutenant-colonel Magonseni Nkosi said preliminary investigations revealed that the “R20 000 paid on Wednesday followed a R40 000 payment made in February and was equally shared between the suspects”.
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South African Municipal Workers Union provincial secretary Sam Lekhuleni commended the police for a job well done.
“Now, let’s allow justice to take its course. Recently we observed political instability in Emalahleni local municipality and in Ehlazeni district municipality. So we are calling on the relevant authorities to launch investigations and address corruption within the province’s municipalities.”
Municipal spokesperson Lebohang Mofokeng said the municipality had learned with shock of the arrest of its employees.
“At this stage, the municipality will not comment further as the information surrounding their arrests is still sketchy. We will allow law enforcement agencies to do their work and, thereafter, we will communicate further.”
ANC expresses disappointment
ANC provincial spokesperson Sasekani Manzini said the party was disappointed.
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“One of the accused is also an ANC provincial executive committee (PEC) member. Consistent with the ANC’s most urgent task, that of renewing the ANC and improving its moral fibre, the ANC PEC is guided by the constitution of the ANC and the 54th and 55th resolutions of the ANC.
“These articulate the processes which should be followed when members and leaders are found, or suspected to be, in conflict with the law.
“Among these is stepping-aside from leadership roles and deployment, appearing in front of the integrity commission and when the need exists, appearing before the disciplinary committee.
Councillors step aside
“In this regard, the two councillors in eMalahleni have immediately stepped aside from their positions of deployment and elected leadership positions,” said Manzini.
He called on the party members to respect the judicial process underway and discourage anyone from mobilising members to support those suspected of wrongdoing when they appear in court.
“We have reached a time in the life of our movement where we are left with only two choices: renew or perish. We have a moral duty to choose renewal for the ANC to survive.”
