/ 6 March 2013

ANC suspends Dodovu in wake of Chika murder charges

Anc Suspends Dodovu In Wake Of Chika Murder Charges

Dodovu confirmed this at a press conference in Rosebank, Johannesburg on Wednesday, but said he was yet to receive notification from the ANC.

Dodovu alleged at the conference that there was an "unholy alliance between some ANC leaders, the police and the prosecution" in a desperate campaign to have him dismissed from the North West provincial government where he's serving as provincial minister for cooperative governance and traditional affairs.

Dodovu was on Monday released on R20 000 bail.

Chika (33), the Kenneth Kaunda regional secretary, was shot at point-blank range in the driveway of his home on December 14. He died later in a Klerksdorp hospital.

The suspected trigger-man, Sihlangu Sekhakhane, was also arrested.

Sekhakhane led police to Msinga in KwaZulu-Natal, where the suspected murder weapon was found.

The other accused are community member Jeffrey Letuka, North West provincial ANC Youth League chairperson Papiki Baboile, ward secretary Paul Molomonyane, councillor Itumeleng Molebatsi, municipal worker William Malefo and taxi driver Kgotso Kali.

Dodovu's arrest sparked allegations of political conspiracy against the ANC's Mangaung conference losers. All the ruling party's members arrested in Chika's case campaigned unsuccessfully for a change in the party's national leadership at Mangaung, supporting Motlanthe over re-elected ANC leader Jacob Zuma.

Dodovu alleged in his bail application that a political conspiracy was afoot and he was being targeted because of his investigation into alleged financial mismanagement in the Matlosana local municipality. – Additional reporting by Sapa