Mandla Tawana reiterated this call following the court appearance of the ANC Member of Parliament (MP), Sibusiso Kula, who was charged with the murder of his wife, also a member of the ANC Women's League. 

Tawana told OFM News in an exclusive interview on Friday in the Potchefstroom-based JB Marks Municipality, that Kula needs to take the party into his confidence and step aside as an MP until his legal woes are laid to rest. 

Tawana said it's important that the ANC's step-aside rule or policy is followed. Kula, the former Dr Kenneth Kaunda ANC Youth League regional secretary was arrested on 20 January this year, nearly two months after the murder of his wife, 31, and mother of two.

ALSO READ – #BreakingNews: North West ANC MP in cuffs for wife's murder

The deceased, who was also a member of the party, was allegedly stabbed to death in November 2022 at her place of residence in Kanana. The deceased apparently shared a series of messages speaking about gender-based violence before her death. In a Facebook post, she allegedly mentioned “GBV is real, if I wake up killed, or any of my family members, please don't look far". 

Members of the ANC Women's League are set to protest outside the Local Magistrate's Court in Orkney against the suspect's release on bail.

On Thursday, Kula lodged an appeal in the High Court after the Orkney Magistrate’s Court refused him bail.

However, the High Court Judge reserved judgment and is expected to hand over the judgment within seven days.

The National Prosecuting Authority's (NPA) regional spokesperson, Henry Mamothame, said Judge André Petersen, will apply his mind and consider all arguments and supporting documents presented in court before passing judgment.

Meanwhile, the Orkney Magistrates’ Court postponed Kula’s case to 17 April 2023, for further investigations.

An application has been submitted to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in North West, Dr Rachel Makhari, for the matter to be transferred to a higher court, owing to its serious nature.

"If one of us is charged in a court of law we must lead by example and show recourse. When comrades appear before the courts of law, it appears bad on the organisation so they must step aside for some time until they have dealt with their criminal charges or matters."

Responding to a question if he is among those who visited Kula in prison whilst they appear to bash him on social media, he denied that he ever visited him.

Following the arrest of Kula, Tawana once wrote on his Facebook timeline: "I wrote something yesterday (Saturday 21 January 2023), but it still pains me to post it or share my opinion. However, still, I feel that I am guilty by association, for whatever we do in life mostly affects those with whom we are closely aligned. Whatever opinion we have against them will not change what they have done to those who are in grief. We ought to take responsibility for our actions or decisions that compromise our moral standing in society."

Police reports reveal that the deceased Jeniffer Mohlomi-Kula was found murdered on 27 November 2022 in their house in Kanana, in what seemed like a robbery. She was found with a stab wound on her back, but the object that was used for her alleged murder has not been recovered.

The matter was reported by the medical facility where she was allegedly transported by the accused to receive medical attention. Kula told the police that he was not at home when the incident occurred.

The killing of Mohlomi has since drawn wide condemnation.

The EFF joined the fray of those in Parliament condemning the murder. According to EFF national spokesperson Leigh-Ann Mathys, the murder suspect made a mockery of Parliament and gender-based violence (GBV) during parliament plenaries.

ALSO READ: EFF condemns GBV, as ANC MP is due in North West court

Following his arrest, the ANC Women's League released a statement calling for justice for the deceased. The provincial convenor of the league, Bitsa Lenkopane, says the murder is a painful reminder of the prevalence of GBV and femicide that many women and children still face.

ALSO READ: ANCYL condemns North West woman’s murder

The spokesperson of the ANCYL, Kutkwano Mothusi, said they stand opposed to the murder-accused and that the Youth League condemns in the strongest terms possible, the murder of women and children.

OFM News