Will top officials keep to ANC’s step-aside policy?

LIMPOPO – With March 18 deadlines for embattled Musina Mayor, Godfrey Mawela and former Thulamela mayor who is a Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Corporate Services in the Vhembe district, Avhashoni Steven Tshifhango are awaited to inform the ANC Limpopo Provincial committee as to whether they are adhering with the party’s (ANC) step-aside policy or else their matter be referred to the National Working Committee of the ANC to take a decision.

Read more: Musina Mayor appears in court for assault

On March 25 it was still unknown whether the two have agreed to step aside or not, since the ANC Provincial spokesperson, Donald Selamolele have not yet confirmed this.

“It is party policy to inform the members accused of crimes and court cases whether they are intending to step-aside or not and if they are not complying, their matter will be referred to the National Working Committee of the party. We understand that if the two are stepping aside, for example to the mayor of Musina, it might affect the service delivery, but we have put in place, what will help us to deliver services to the communities, during their absence from their duties,” said Selamolele.

This comes after Mawela was charged with assault following a brawl at a tavern in Muswodi-Dipeni on February 26. Both Mawela and Munzhelele are residents of Muswodi-Dipeni village, outside Musina.

Mawela appeared in the Mutale Magistrate’s Court on February 28 and his case was postponed to April 29 for further police investigation and to allow him get the legal representative of his choice, while Tshifhango was charged for corruption and maladministration.

He appeared in the Thohoyandou Magistrate’s Court on February 8 and his case was postponed to May 24 to allow further police investigation and for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to hand over the docket to the legal representative of Tshifhango.

His case was also transferred to the Polokwane Commercial Specialised Court.