The party’s spokesperson, Kenny Morolong, says the charges against Khumalo and his senior official, Cyril Henry, are of a grave nature and warrant an appropriate response by the organisation. 

Khumalo and Henry appeared before the Potchefstroom Magistrate's Court on Friday. They were released on a warning after being arrested by the Hawks on charges relating to fraud and theft, amounting to R5 million. They stand accused of channelling money from a trust account intended for the municipality, into their accounts for personal use.

It is alleged that the funds in the trust were misrepresented to appear as if they were being used to pay for services rendered to the municipality, while invoices were allegedly being falsified.

Morolong says the ANC in the province will in due course reflect on these developments concerning Khumalo and the state of the municipality, guided by the party’s 54th national conference resolutions pertaining to the ANC’s credibility and integrity as well as measures it needs to take in dealing with corruption.

“We reiterate our utmost confidence in the competence of our courts to dispense justice without fear, favour or prejudice. We also firmly believe in the constitutional rights of individuals to be presumed innocent until proven guilty. The 54th National Conference resolutions and the recent NEC decision provides a guide and injunction on how the organisation and its structures should in a manner safeguard its integrity and ensures ethical conducts among its members,” he said.

Meanwhile, OFM News’ Lucky Nkuyane has reported that Khumalo and Henry have been ordered to not set foot at the municipal offices until the conclusion of their fraud and theft cases.

This coupled with an order restricting them to refrain from contacting any witnesses while investigations continue.

They are expected to re-appear before the Local Magistrate’s Court on December 1.

OFM News