The ANC Youth League’s (ANCYL) spokesperson in the Free State has voluntarily stepped aside as the provincial executive committee member and spokesperson, pending the finalisation of his common assault case.

Phiwe Mathe, who also serves as a deputy director in the provincial government’s Public Works department, wrote a voluntary step-aside letter to the League's Provincial Secretary, Mayibuye Bangani. The decision follows demands from the Forum 4 Service Delivery (F4SD) in the Free State for Mathe’s immediate suspension without pay until the case is concluded. 

Mathe is currently out on R500 bail and is expected to appear in court again on (12/7).

Sinazo Hafula, who has stepped in as the provincial ANCYL spokesperson, stated that the youth league has welcomed Mathe’s decision to step aside.

“His matter has also been referred to the Provincial Integrity Commission (PIC) of the ANC in the Free State for recommendations to the PEC,” Hafula said. “The ANCYL does not wish to cast any aspersions on the matter as it is the role of the courts to do so. However, it reiterates that it stands opposed to incidents of gender-based violence (GBV).”

F4SD previously called for strict consequences, with provincial spokesperson Khotso Mofokeng urging Free State Premier MaQueen Letsoha Mathae to invoke consequence management for Mathe’s alleged misconduct. The Department of Public Works in the province, through its Head of Communication Mlungisi Maqubela, confirmed awareness of the charges against Mathe but declined to comment further, citing the ongoing court proceedings.

The case against Mathe comes at a time when the Free State government is already under scrutiny. The EFF has called on Mathae to take decisive action against Public Works MEC Dibolelo Mance following allegations of irregular expenditure. Mance is accused of squandering over R100,000 of public funds on a trip to Cape Town, which allegedly included herself, her chief, and her bodyguard.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi cg