Central SA
Free State MEC resigns after arrest by Hawks─── LUCKY NKUYANE 15:56 Wed, 18 Oct 2023
“Her resignation follows her indictment along with two other accused, about an alleged misuse of R150,000 while she was the mayor of Moqhaka in 2017.”
The Free State MEC for Social Development, Motshidise Koloi, has resigned after she was arrested along with two co-accused on Friday. She is accused of colluding with a service provider to loot R150,000.
Premier Mxolisi Dukwana’s spokesperson, Sello Dithebe, said her letter of resignation was received and welcomed. The Free State government "will continue to work with the criminal justice system to turn the tide against misconduct and corruption, whenever it occurs, wherever it occurs, and by whom it is committed".
“Her resignation follows her indictment along with two other accused, about an alleged misuse of R150,000 while she was the (mayor) of Moqhaka in 2017,” he said.
Dukwana has since appointed the MEC for Small Business and Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs Thabo Meeko to act as the MEC for Social Development. “Premier Dukwana wishes to thank former MEC Koloi for her service to the government and the people of the Free State,” Dithebe added.
On Friday (13/10), Koloi and her two co-accused appeared in the Kroonstad Magistrate’s Court. She, Chief Director of the Department of Human Settlements Vusimuzi Rajuili, and a political advisor to the Matjhabeng Municipality, Serake Leeuw, were released on bail of between R5,000 and R10,000.
Following her arrest and subsequent release on bail, ANC Provincial Secretary Pulediso Motsoeneng said the party expected Koloi to voluntarily step aside to allow the legal processes to proceed without any hindrance.
“While the ANC respects the legal principle that any accused person must be presumed innocent until proven guilty, we are of the view that these are serious charges that have the potential to taint the image of the ANC negatively. The ANC has adopted a document that outlines guidelines on how and in what circumstances members should ‘step aside’ from party activities," he said.
Polediso said these guidelines state that members indicted in a court of law cannot stand for election in any leadership position in the party. “The guidelines assert that those charged in a court of law cannot hold government positions as ministers, deputy ministers, MECs or MMCs, amongst others."
In terms of these guidelines, ANC members facing allegations or charges of corruption (or other serious charges) “must present themselves to the Integrity Commission”.
"The ANC therefore expects Cde Koloi, as a member of the ANC deployed to government by the ANC, to voluntarily step aside to allow the legal processes to ensue without any hindrance. We must state that stepping aside does not equate to an admission of guilt, but is a necessary and conscious act by any members of the ANC who respects the decisions and image of the ANC,” Polediso added.
