ANC leader accused of corruption in Limpopo has been removed from his legislature position in accordance with the ruling party’s resolution on the step aside rule.
The ANC in Limpopo announced on Tuesday morning that Tolly Mashamaite would be removed from his role as chair of chairs at the provincial legislature and demoted to an ordinary member of legislature due to corruption allegations against him.
Spokesperson for ANC in Limpopo, Jimmy Machaka, said the decision was made during a PEC meeting on Monday. “The PEC has noted the serious allegations and the pending criminal prosecution against Cde Tolly Mashamaite, and pursuant to the 54th national conference resolution on step aside," Machaka said.
Machaka said the decision was made in order to afford him ample opportunity to deal with the prosecution against him. Mashaimate is among 13 officials currently facing corruption charges in connection with the looting of tenders amounting to R15m at the Mogalakwena local municipality.
His brother Jabu Mashamaite is also among the accused in the corruption case. Jabu is also in custody after the Mokopane magistrate’s court denied him bail for another matter where he stands accused of killing two whistleblowers from the same municipality in 2019.
The ANC had debated the step aside rule during their provincial conferences with some branches criticising the policy of being applied unfairly. Limpopo’s Vhembe branch was calling for the rule to be completely scrapped, saying people were being treated as being guilty based on mere accusations. But ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa announced that the rule would remain to preserve the integrity of the party and its leadership.
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