Mangaung mayor Papi Mokoena has been relieved of all leadership positions in the African National Congress in the Free State, the party announced on Tuesday.
Free State ANC deputy chairperson Pat Matosa said the decision by the party’s provincial working committee (PWC) was taken in the interests of stabilising local government at all levels.
”… specifically at the political management and leadership level,” Matosa told journalists in Bloemfontein.
Matosa said this followed the PWC receiving a detailed ”political report” on the situation in the Mangaung municipality and deciding to ”take decisive political correct decisions”.
Mokoena has been removed from his positions as mayor, chairperson of the Motheo regional executive committee on economic transformation, and member of the Motheo regional working committee.
”Disciplinary action shall be taken against comrade Papi Mokoena for not adhering to a legitimate political instruction of the ANC still adhering to agreed voluntary leave of absence he has taken,” Matosa said.
Mokoena, one of five senior municipal officials investigated by the Scorpions on allegations of fraud and corruption, returned to work last Monday from voluntary leave. The period of leave had not yet expired.
The leave began soon after his arrest in July.
The Scorpions arrested Mokoena, his wife Granny, city manager Mojalefa Matlole, chief operating officer Mzwandile Silwana, Speaker Zongezile Zumane and Mokoena’s political adviser Jacob Thithi at the same time.
However, Matosa said on Tuesday the latest political decisions had no bearing on the case in the Bloemfontein High Court or on internal administrative processes at the Mangaung municipality.
”The PWC’s decision was taken in the interest of consolidating and deepening the unity of the organisation [the ANC],” he said.
The party confirmed that Eva Moiloa would continue to act as mayor. – Sapa