Lungani Zungu
The once-powerful Dan Msiza is the latest to fall as part of an ongoing campaign by President Cyril Ramaphosa to get rid of ANC leaders implicated in criminal activities.
The ANC has suspended Msiza after he refused to comply with the party’s step aside rule.
The ANC Limpopo provincial treasurer was among the people accused of stealing money from VBS Bank, leading to the collapse of the bank that served the poor and pensioners.
Msiza was instructed to step down in April but he ignored the party.
This prompted the provincial leadership to approach the national leadership.
Jessie Duarte, deputy secretary-general, did not mince her words in her letter to the ANC Limpopo leadership.
“The NEC was unambiguous in its resolve that these decisions must be applied consistently across all provinces without deviation,” she said.
She said the top six led by President Ramaphosa would not comment case-by-case on the issue of step aside.
“We are of the view that this matter is abundantly clear and requires no further elucidation,” said Duarte.
Accordingly, she said: “We urge the province to implement these decisions forthwith- consistently and without deviation.
This strongly-worded letter sealed Msiza’s fate.
Msiza follows other ANC senior leaders, including Ace Magashule, who was suspended for refusing to voluntarily step down amid the R255 million asbestos charges he faced.
The provincial secretary, Soviet Lekganyane, said they respected the decision of the top leadership.
“This decision means that comrade Msiza can longer be allowed to participate in party activities,” he said.
Lekganyane said they don’t want to defy the national leadership.
“The letter is clear, my brother. There’s nothing we can do.”
Mzisa could not be reached for comment as his phone repeatedly rang to voicemail.
