Dodovu is a litmus test for the ANC

TEST CASE: Murder accused Itumeleng Molebatsi, William Maleto, Khotso Kau, Sihlangu Sikhakhane and Thamsanqa China Dodovu in the Klerksdorp Magistrate's Court yesterday. Photo: Veli Nhlapo
TEST CASE: Murder accused Itumeleng Molebatsi, William Maleto, Khotso Kau, Sihlangu Sikhakhane and Thamsanqa China Dodovu in the Klerksdorp Magistrate's Court yesterday. Photo: Veli Nhlapo

THE ANC 's resolution that forces party members facing allegations of improper conduct to step down is facing a stern test following the arrest of North West ANC deputy chairman and suspended local government MEC Thamsanqa China Dodovu.

Dodovu was arrested on Monday in connection with the murder of ANC regional secretary David Obuti Chika.

He appeared in the Klerksdorp Magistrate's Court yesterday with six other suspects - including ANC Youth League North West chairman Papiki Baboile.

Dodovu denied the charge against him and said his arrest was politically motivated because of his fight against corruption at Matlosana municipality in Klerksdorp.

His case was postponed to March 4 and he was deniedbail.

Dodovu's immediate future will be discussed by the North West ANC provincial executive committee (PEC) today.

He  might be forced to step down.

 Provincial spokesman Kenny Morolong and chairman Supra Mahumapelo said a decision on Dodovu's future would be taken by the PEC in line with the December Mangaung resolutions.

ANC delegates   resolved to establish integrity committees in all provinces within three months from that time.

These committees would be able to force members who are in trouble with the law to step down from their positions while they tried to clear their names.

The committee would also have the power to remove members in senior government positions once they were found guilty of financial irregularities.

Gauteng was able to force former local government and housing MEC Humphrey Mmemezi to resign after he was found guilty - by a similar provincial committee - of abusing his government-issued credit card.

 However, Mmemezi bounced back when he was elected onto the ANC's highest decision-making structure between conferences - the national executive committee.

Meanwhile, Dodovu's suspension as an MEC has sparked calls from the Democratic Alliance to have three other MECs suspended.

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