Klerksdorp - The North West ANC on Monday called for the law to run its course following the arrest of local government MEC China Dodovu on a murder charge.
“We believe that this judicial process must run its course without impediments and that the courts are competent to deal with this matter and bring it to closure,” spokesman Kenny Morolong said in a statement.
He said the provincial executive committee (PEC) believed in the presumption of innocence until proven guilty, but also that no one was above the law.
Dodovu was arrested during a PEC meeting on Monday.
ANC regional secretary Obuti Chika, 33, was shot dead in the driveway of his Klerksdorp home on December 14.
“We further wish to commend the police on their continued strides in this matter and we hope that those responsible for the death of Cde Aubuti Chika will face the full might of the law.”
The other accused are Jeffrey Letuka, 28, North West provincial ANC Youth League chairman Papiki Baboile, 27, ward secretary Paul Molomonyane, 33, councillor Itumeleng Molebatsi, 50, municipal worker William Malefo, 46, and taxi driver Kgotso Kali, 36.
Chika was the regional secretary of the Dr Kenneth Kaunda district at the time of his death.
Premier Thandi Modise appealed for calm.
“While we note the arrest and hope that justice will be done, we also believe that every suspect is innocent until proven guilty.
“It is on this basis that we support further and intensive investigation into the matter. We believe that MEC Dodovu will co-operate with the investigation.”
Finance MEC Paul Sebegoe would, in the meantime, take over the running of Dodovu's department. - Sapa