FILE PHOTO: Former Mpumalanga agriculture MEC Mandla Msibi appearing in Nelspruit Magistrate Court on charges murder. PICTURE: Twitter
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0 NELSPRUIT: Mr Msibi and his co-accused have been granted R20,000 bail each by the Nelspruit Magistrates Court.
Murder accused Mpumalanga agriculture MEC Mr Mandla Msibi has welcomed his removal as the party’s elections manager by the Mpumalanga ANC.
Mr Msibi made the pronouncement when addressing his supporters outside the court on Tuesday morning following his court appearance.
Mr Msibi and his co-accused have been granted R20,000 bail each by the Nelspruit Magistrates Court.
They are facing charges of murder and attempted murder. This is linked to a shooting in August when two people were killed and one injured.
The ANC in the province took a decision to remove Mr Msibi from his position which is in line with the party’s resolution that states that members charged with corruption or other serious crimes should step aside.
“The decision of the provincial executive committee of the ANC for me to step aside is accepted unconditionally,” says Mr Msibi.
Mr Msibi has also accepted the decision to dismiss him as the MEC for agriculture in the province.
Premier Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane released Msibi from his portfolio saying this will allow him to focus on his case.
However, Mr Msibi has taken issue with this decision, saying it is politically motivated.
“I’m going to request comrade Lindi to request a meeting with the [national] officials of the ANC so that I explain to them.”
Meanwhile, Mpumalanga Provincial Government’s Spokesperson George Mthethwa has in the past defended Mtsweni-Tsipane’s decision to fire Mr Msibi.
“The portfolio requires more time. The portfolio is really demanding. It needs someone who will have 100% attention, having his hands on the activities of the department,” said Mr Mthethwa.
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