Limpopo ANC region wants ‘VBS looters’ reinstated

The ANC’s Limpopo Peter Mokaba region wanted the decision by the ruling party’s national executive committee on VBS Mutual Bank looters to be annulled in a resolution taken during its recent regional executive committee meeting.

The region has already written to the ANC Limpopo headquarters calling for deputy chairperson Florence Radzilani and treasurer Danny Msiza to be reinstated into their positions.

“The region respects the norm that one is innocent until proven guilty by a court of law and not the other way around,” Peter Mokaba regional chair John Mpe said yesterday.

“These are tried and tested comrades who were democratically elected by branches of the ANC. Their fate cannot be decided by any other structure other than the branches which elected them into power.”

Mpe said the two can only be recalled or set aside by branches in a democratically convened party provincial general council.

The region has agreed in principle that Radzilani and Msiza could play an important role going into the general elections in May this year. The party needed experienced leaders of Msiza’s calibre to raise funds, Mpe said.

“Our call is clear. As much as those fingered for corruption in the Commission of Inquiry of State Capture are not set aside, then Msiza and Radzilani stay.

“We are prepared to tell the president of the ANC the recommendations by the party’s committees were not only wrong but also have the capability to throw the ANC into deep turmoil,” he said.

But DA provincial chairperson Jacques Smalle said the region was bluffing and daydreaming. “These people stole from the poor. They don’t belong here but behind bars. Our municipalities are now dysfunctional because they stole and left them without a penny.”

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) said the decision by the region was “utter nonsense”.

“If the ANC wants Msiza and Radzilani back, they must then reinstate the seven mayors who were fired last year,” said EFF Mopani regional secretary Bazooka Hlongoana.

– news@citizen.co.za

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