The ANC Limpopo has responded to the arrest and court appearance of Sekhukhune District Executive Mayor Cllr Julia Mathebe following VBS Scandal.
Mathebe together with former Municipal Manager of Elias Motsoaledi Municipality, Minah Maredi appeared before the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Wednesday.
They were arrested in Groblersdal the same day.
This is in relation to the VBS investments while they occupied office at the Elias Motsoaledi Municipality. Mathebe is a former Mayor of the Municipality.
VBS INVESTMENTS MATTER REGARDING SEKHUKHUNE DISTRICT EXCUTIVE MAYOR
The municipal manager is said to have been instrumental in investing R190 million municipal funds into the VBS Mutual Bank. The mayor is said to have received over R300 000 in gratification. Which included cash, accommodation and flight tickets.
The pair have been granted bail of R30 000 each while their case has been postponed to 2 March.
In a statement released on Thursday. The ANC in Limpopo said Mathebe would be stepping aside as per the resolution of the 54th National Conference.
“ANC in Limpopo has noted the arrest and subsequent court appearance of Cde Julia Mathebe. Mayor of Sekhukhune District Municipality and the ANC Regional Chairperson on criminal charges related to the VBS Mutual bank case,” read the statement issued by provincial secretary Reuben Madadzhe.
“ANC in Limpopo supports all efforts by law enforcement agencies. To ensure that all those who are found to be on the wrong side of the law. Relating to the VBS Saga are brought to book and face full might of the law.
“Whilst we fully support the law to take its course. We equally call upon all sectors of the society to respect the rights of Cde Julia Mathebe. Of being innocent until proven otherwise by the competent court of law,” it read.
“Furthermore we wish to correct the media reports. Which seem to suggest that the municipality in question lost money as a result of the investment to VBS. Without indulging into the merits of the case. It must be noted that the municipality suffered no financial loss as a result of the investment.”
ON JULIA MATHEBE STEPPING ASIDE
“The ANC is giving Cde Julia Mathebe space and respect for her to attend to the court matter without any distraction. Consequently Cde Julia Mathebe will be stepping aside from her responsibilities of leadership and the deployment. As per the resolution of the 54th National Conference and guidelines adopted by the National Executive Committee.”
