The African National Congress (ANC) in Limpopo gave some party members who have criminal cases pending against them until Friday to indicate whether they would step aside or not.
They include the mayor of the Musina Local Municipality, the former mayor of the Thulamela Local Municipality, a Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) member and two REC members in the Waterberg region.
ANC Provincial Secretary, Soviet Lekganyane, says there is a serious concern that some party members facing criminal cases have not yet stepped aside.
“The two comrades in the REC of Waterberg, one in the PEC of the ANC in Limpopo, one in the REC of Vhembe, one is a councillor at Vhembe District Municipality. We write letters to the comrades, if they commit themselves to step aside or are defiant we are very clear about the step aside will also include a mayor,” says Lekganyane.
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However, Lekganyane says if the PEC fails to act against members who defy the step aside rule, the matter will be escalated to the national executive committee.
“People who have been criminally charged do not have to appear before the integrity commission they just step aside immediately. People who appear before the integrity commission are those that have serious allegations against them. If the meeting of the PEC failed to make a decision, it is the duty of the provincial secretary to report to the National Executive Committee that the PEC is refusing for people to step aside,” says Lekganyane.
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