“Kick out Humphrey Mmemezi for misusing a state credit card,” the ANC in Gauteng has been told by a senior executive member of the party.
The Star understands the call for the sacking of Mmemezi, Gauteng’s MEC for Local Government and Housing, came from ANC MEC for Economic Development Qedani Mahlangu six days ago.
Mahlangu is no ordinary member of the Gauteng ANC provincial executive committee (PEC). She once headed the party’s provincial deployment committee responsible for the placement of ANC cadres in various government positions, including in municipalities as well as state agencies in Gauteng.
She is said to have made the call during a tense PEC meeting held this past weekend in Joburg. Insiders told The Star that Mahlangu had looked at her provincial chairman, Paul Mashatile, and secretary David Makhura and urged them to act quickly on Mmemezi, saying his credit card splurges and his involvement in an accident that had resulted in a damaged state vehicle had tarnished the ANC’s public image.
“We acted on Bob Mabaso (sacked former MEC for social development), we acted on agriculture MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko. Why don’t we act on Mmemezi now?” she asked.
The Star understands Mmemezi was present when the call for his sacking was made.
Mahlangu reminded her ANC counterparts that Mabaso resigned under pressure a few days after false attempted rape allegations were made against him.
The incident occurred on January 9, 2006 when Nonqaba Mosunkutu – who worked in Mabaso’s office and is the wife of former MEC for agriculture, land and nature conservation Khabisi – went to former premier Mbhazima Shilowa and claimed Mabaso had tried to rape her. After hearing the allegations, Mabaso resigned on January 26.
In May 2009, Nkomo-Ralehoko was fired as MEC for agriculture after hardly 25 days in office when her vehicle was stolen.
ANC spokesman Dumisa Ntuli denied on Thursday that Mahlangu had made the call to fire Mmemezi, but three people who were at the meeting confirmed to The Star that the issue had arisen.
Mahlangu did not want to comment. “Please talk to Nathaniel Kekana for ANC-related issues. He is our spokesperson,” she said.
Ntuli said: “The matter of the credit cards was never discussed at the provincial executive committee (meeting). We can confirm that the provincial executive agreed that the MEC’s matter be referred to the integrity committee under Baba Alexander Mbatha.”
Mmemezi was expected to give a detailed account on Friday to Premier Nomvula Mokonyane on the allegations of credit card abuse against him.
The legislature was also expected to make a ruling on whether Mmemezi should answer to the allegations during a formal sitting of the legislature or not.
The Star