On Wednesday, Makhurupetje, who was MEC for cooporative governance, human settlements and traditional affairs, was demoted when Limpopo premier and Cyril Ramaphosa supporter Stan Mathabatha reshuffled his cabinet.

Makhurupetje, who is also the party provincial deputy secretary, was moved to public works.

On Thursday, 11 branches of the ANC in Waterberg opened a case of fraud against her at the Polokwane police station.

Makhurupetje declined to comment on her demotion and the fraud case opened against her.

"I don't know anything about the case. I don't even have the authority to speak to the media.

"If the case has been opened, the matter will be brought to the provincial secretary of the ANC," said Makhurupetje.

Provincial police spokesman Colonel Moatshe Ngoepe told Sunday World that Makhurupetje's case has been referred to the Hawks. "The Hawks is handing the case," said Ngoepe.

However, Hawks Colonel Leslie Maluleke said the Hawks had not received the docket.

"I'm not denying that the case has been opened but we have not yet received the docket," said Maluleke.

Limpopo government spokesman Phuti Seloba said the provincial government would let the fraud investigation against Makhurupetje continue in peace.

"We will not stand in the way of the investigation. As government, we believe that if there is corruption, the law must take its course."

He also downplayed Makhurupetje's demotion.

"The premier moved MECs based on performances," Seloba said.

"Makhurupetje was among MECs who were moved to departments that they will perform best at."

Seloba also disputed claims that Makhurupetje was victimised for being pro Dlamini-Zuma.

Seloba's sentiments were echoed by two ANC members who didn't want to be named.

One member said Makhurupetje was removed from her position after allegations that her department paid R100-million for a piece of land which was worth R8-million in the Tubatse area in Ga-Sekhukhune. The land was earmarked for construction of RDP houses.

"It is not true that she is being victimised because she supports NDZ, in fact there were other MECs who support Cyril who were also moved to smaller departments," said the member.

Another member also alleged the branches opened the fraud case against Makhurupetje because she tampered with Waterberg branch general meeting documents of members in a bid to enable her preferred candidate Morris Mataboge to win over Mathabatha's candidate Jack Maeko.

ANC provincial spokeswoman Khumbudzo Ntshavheni ignored our telephone calls and failed to respond to written questions we sent to her.