FREE STATE Social Development MEC Motshidise Koloi resigned on Wednesday, 18 October.
She and two others were arrested for alleged fraud, corruption, money laundering, and the contravening the Municipal Finance Act. They appeared in the Kroonstad Magistrates Court on Friday, 13 October.
The accused handed her resignation letter to Premier Mxolisi Dukwana after the ANC decided she must step aside.
Koloi and the two other officials concerning R150 000 that was allegedly taken from the Moqhaka Municipality, where she was a mayor. Koloi's accused of allegedly colluding with her co-accused to take the money in 2017 under the guise it would be spent on a sound system to be used during a Nelson Mandela memorial lecture.
The event the money was aimed for never happened despite the money having been transacted out of the municipal bank account.
Premier spokesman Sello Dithebe said the premier has appointed MEC Destea Thabo Moeko to temporarily act while the process of electing a new MEC unfolds.
"The premier wishes to thank former MEC Koloi for her service in government and further wishes to state that the government will continue to collaborate with the criminal justice system to turn the tide against malfeasance and corruption, when it occurs, wherever it occurs, by whoever committed," he said.
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ANC provincial secretary Polediso Motsoeneng recently said ANC respects the legal principle that any accused person must be presumed innocent until proven guilty.
He said they were of the view that these were serious charges that had the potential to taint the image of the party negatively.
Motsoeneng set the record straight that ANC had adopted a document that outlined guidelines on how and in what circumstances members should step aside from party activities.
These guidelines stated that members indicted in a court of law couldn't stand for election in any leadership position in the party.
"The guidelines further assert that those charged in a court of law cannot hold government positions as ministers, deputy ministers, MECs or MMCs, amongst others. In terms of these guidelines, ANC members facing allegations or charges of corruption or other serious charges must present themselves to the Integrity Commission," he said.
Efforts to get MEC Koloi were fruitless.
