Bloemfontein - Fraud-accused Free State health MEC Benny Malakoane must be suspended without delay, the DA said on Thursday.
Provincial Democratic Alliance leader Patricia Kopane said Malakoane should be suspended until a criminal investigation against him was finalised.
The Hawks arrested Malakoane on Wednesday on charges of corruption and fraud worth about R13 million, with five other people.
He appeared in the Welkom Magistrate’s Court and was released on R20 000 bail.
The other accused in the case are the Matjhabeng local municipality's chief financial officer, his personal assistant and three businessmen.
The case was postponed to November 29.
The matter relates to crimes allegedly committed while Malakoane was the municipal manager at the Matjhabeng local municipality in Welkom.
Kopane said the DA had called on Free State premier Ace Magashule to wait for an ethics investigation by the Public Protector before appointing Malakoane as MEC.
“Our request was ignored.”
She said this was from the same government that claimed to be fighting corruption.
Kopane said Malakoane would not be an appropriate candidate for public office until there was clarity on the outcome of the case. - Sapa