Johannesburg - The ANC has implored parties to refrain from scoring points over the resignation of Gauteng MEC Humphrey Mmemezi, but the DA is pushing for more steps against him.
African National Congress Gauteng chief whip Brian Hlongwa said in a statement on Friday: “We urge everyone, especially the opposition within the legislature not to use this matter as a political score game.”
Democratic Alliance caucus leader Jack Bloom said allegations of irregular activities during the former MEC's time at Mogale City municipality should also be investigated.
The integrity commission report presented to the Gauteng legislature in a special sitting on Friday found Mmemezi guilty of contravening the provincial legislature's code of conduct and ethics.
The report referred to Mmemezi using a government credit card and covering up an accident in a government vehicle. Mmemezi resigned from his position on Wednesday.
Hlongwa welcomed the report and said Mmemezi's decision to resign was honourable.
“He has unequivocally apologised to the party, public and the premier for the transgressions and we respect him for illustrating such stature in difficult times.”
Hlongwa said the ANC remained committed to serving the public diligently and with conviction.
“This has been a difficult time for all members and we are glad that the matter has been laid to rest.”
Bloom said while the legislature did not have the power to remove Mmemezi as a member, the former MEC was unfit to hold any public office.
“If Mmemezi had any real integrity and honour he would have resigned from his elected position.”
He questioned whether the ANC was serious about rooting out maladministration, as Mmemezi remained the ANC's deputy secretary in Gauteng.
Cope caucus leader Ndizipho Kalipa said her party was satisfied by the legislature's investigation of Mmemezi, and his resignation.
However, they were concerned it took the former MEC so long to do the right thing.
Kalipa said the use of a government credit card for private use was unjustifiable to the citizens the legislature served, and as public representatives, such behaviour could not be tolerated.
It was unfortunate that the money Mmemezi spent was only reimbursed after knowledge of his spending became public, she said. - Sapa