Cape Town — The African National Congress (ANC) in Limpopo has confirmed that the province’s deputy chair, Florence Radzilani, will not be asked to step down.
This comes amidst headlines involving the former VBS Mutual Bank chair, Tshifhiwa Matodzi, who looted over R2 billion from the bank. Matodzi implicated several well-known politicians in the bank’s closure in 2018.
According to The Citizen, Radzilani is accused of receiving R300 000 from the bank directors for investing R300 million with the bank while she served as the executive mayor of the Vhembe district municipality.
Radzilani was the MEC for transport and community safety under former premier, Stanlewy Mathabtha, and now serves as the MEC for social development under current premier, Dr Phophi Ramathuba.
florence radzilani 🚮 pic.twitter.com/ItLPnbbDoq
— sikhalel’zwelethu 🇵🇸 (@ubomiabumanga_) July 12, 2024
However, the Bolsheviks political party of South Africa, known for being vocal against VBS municipal investments, does not buy Machaka’s story.
“Against all odds, Radzilani is still swimming in state-funded luxury perks, such as blue lights and air-conditioned offices, seven years after the people of Vhembe were robbed of millions of rands,” the party’s Seun Mogotji was quoted as saying. .
He questioned why Rudzilani was re-elected as a MEC and why the step aside rule only applies to certian people and the ANC should provide answers. He also said the people of Limpopo, who ghave the ANC 74% of votwsm deserve to know why Rudzilani is still in office.
According to the ANC step aside rule, any ANC member facing allegations or charges of corruption (or other serious crimes) should present themselves to the Integrity Commission, should step aside voluntarily if indicted, and should resign if convicted. But that was not the case with Radzilani.
According to EWN, the ANC in Limpopo said it currently sees no need to take action, but emphasised that if Radzilani was found at fault, the party would promptly intervene.
“The deputy chair and the MEC of Social Development has not been charged by any law enforcement agencies and therefore there is absolutely nothing we can do at this stage, as far as the organisation is concerned, unless if new information comes to light, which will then propel the PEC [provincial executive committee] to change its initial stance as far as the matter is concerned,” ANC spokesperson, Jimmy Machaka, said.
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
