ANC defends Limpopo premier Stan Mathabatha

The ANC in Limpopo has come out to defend Premier Stan Mathabatha against alliance Cosatu who called for him to step down for not taking corruption with levity hands.

Cosatu in Limpopo insisted on Mathabatha to resign because they think he has failed to fight against corruption and display leadership roles.

However, ANC spokesperson – Donald Selamolela replied back yesterday to the calls from Cosatu and said Mathabatha took delight in the confidence of the ANC in Limpopo to lead the organisation and government.

“The ANC takes strong exception at the characterisation of our provincial chairperson and premier and his ability to lead both the ANC in the province and the ANC government. It is the view of the ANC in this province that comrade Chupu Mathabatha and his collective, both within the movement and government took over the reins of an ANC that was on the brink of collapse, and a provincial government besmirched with administrative challenges,” he said.

“The tide has turned in the past five years, and there has been great pointers of stability in both government and the organisation.”

Cosatu said the trust and confidence it had in Mathabatha had been lost. This is after an embarrassment that ensued when he revealed at least 40 corrugated iron shacks at Talana Hostel, Tzaneen, so as to encourage social distancing at a congested informal settlement.

Cosatu provincial secretary Gerald Twala said:

“After discussing the issues related to corruption in the province, including the Talana shacks matter, (this) led us to a decision that we think we no longer have trust and confidence in Mathabatha and his leadership and we are calling for him to step down. The issue of Talana showed a lack of leadership on the part of Mathabatha. You can’t, as the deployee of the ANC, proudly cut a ribbon on shacks.”

Twala added that Mathabatha was unable to respond on fraud and corruption allegations, coupled with PPE tender scandal allegations in his office.