Free State MEC for community safety, roads and transport Jabu Mbalula has been sworn in as acting premier of the province.
This comes amid allegations of corruption against incumbent Prime Minister Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae.
Letsoha-Mathae and her husband Lawrence Mathae, the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipal Speaker, are alleged to have accepted bribes to influence the tender for a lucrative road construction project worth R269 million.
The ANC has reportedly ordered Letsoha-Mathae to take immediate leave.
But the ANC in the province has come out in fire, calling reports that Letsoha-Mathae had been ordered by the party to resign amid corruption allegations as an attack on the prime minister.
Instead, the Free State Premier’s office says Letsoha-Mathae has taken sick leave for a medical procedure.
Setjhaba Maphalla, acting head of communications at the Prime Minister’s Office, says the move to appoint Mbalula as acting prime minister will allow Letsoha-Mathae to recover.
“MEC Mbalula, who serves as Prime Minister, will ensure continuity in governance, allowing Prime Minister Letsoha-Matha to focus on recovery from a medical procedure. Acting Prime Minister Mbalula comes into this role with extensive experience, having served in various capacities, including in government at home and abroad. The Prime Minister has indicated that she has full confidence that Mbalula will deliver continued progress and prosperity, while she has the full support of the executive and officials of government,” Maphalla said.
Meanwhile, Mbalula took an oath on Thursday to resume his duties as acting prime minister until December 15.
He has vowed to hold the position with honor and dignity and further promised to be a “true and faithful councilor.”
Makgala Masiteng
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