“It was long overdue,”
DA spokesman Jack Bloom said on Wednesday in reaction to the resignation of Local Government and Housing MEC Humphrey Mmemezi.
“It took 50 days of media exposure of his questionable actions before he resigned, after vigorously protesting his complete innocence.
“We do not believe that he has come clean on all his misdeeds, and he should not be let off the hook just because he has resigned after pressure,” said Bloom.
“Questions remain about his accident in KwaZulu-Natal that led to his damaged official vehicle being auctioned at a loss to the state. A proper investigation is also needed into the serious allegations made about him when he worked at the Mogale City municipality.”
Bloom said the DA would continue to push for proper accountability for all his alleged wrongdoing, including criminal prosecution if that was warranted.
ANC Gauteng spokesman Dumisa Ntuli said the party welcomed Mmemezi’s decision.
“(This) sets a good example of how ANC cadres should assume responsibility for their actions and take corrective measures in order to win public confidence.
”The issue of integrity and ethical conduct is an essential component of leadership,” Ntuli said.
Ntuli said the ANC would ensure that its public representatives “conduct their work of serving the people with due skill, care, diligence and honour”.
Bongani Mahlangu, of the Cope Youth Movement, said Mmemezi’s resignation should “motivate people like Minister Angie Motshekga and MEC Namane Masemola to recuse themselves from the significant positions that they are holding, which impedes a learning and teaching environment in all Limpopo schools through the controversial textbook saga”.
LeadSA welcomed the resignation and said he should still be held accountable for the misspend.
“LeadSA constantly asks South Africans to stand up, do the right thing and make a difference. The Star and some other media did exactly this. The media must continue to hold politicians and public officials accountable.
“Mmemezi also apologised today for using his credit card to pay for private expenses. He says he refunded the money. We hope so. Let this be a lesson to others.
“Public money cannot be abused in this way,” said LeadSA, a campaign that involves The Star and Talk Radio 702.
LeadSA said Mmemezi had denied all allegations against him in an interview with 702 last week.
“Deputy editor of The Star Kevin Ritchie and reporter Baldwin Ndaba came on air producing evidence to back up their claims,” said LeadSA.
“We congratulate The Star for uncovering and exposing the rot. The newspaper kept on publishing a series of allegations that finally led to the resignation of Mmemezi today.”
The Star