The ANC’s integrity commission has instructed Limpopo premier Phophi Ramathuba to fire Florence Radzilani, the province's social development MEC, who is accused of involvement in the looting of VBS Mutual Bank.
The Sunday Times understands that this instruction was given when Ramathuba appeared before the integrity commission last month and was questioned about the VBS scandal.
The commission made a damning finding in respect of Radzilani, who also serves as the Limpopo ANC’s deputy chair, and called for her to vacate her office.
Radzilani was implicated in the state capture report, with allegations that she received a R300,000 “Christmas” gift from VBS. She is said to have complained that it was too little and that she wanted at least R1.5m.
ANC insiders said that while the recommendation by the body of elders carries weight, the provincial executive committee (PEC) was unlikely to act against Radzilani.
One insider said the matter was unlikely to be discussed when the PEC meets next week.
Radzilani is understood to wield considerable influence in the province, with some saying she still has the backing of its biggest region, Vhembe.
It seems there are certain rules for some people and different rules for the others.
— AN ANC leader in Limpopo
An ANC leader in Limpopo said the move against Radzilani risked dividing the party in Limpopo, especially in Vhembe, where she and her husband run a huge church.
The leader said a lot of people were likely to sympathise with Radzilani, who he said was being victimised by the ANC. There was a risk she would defect to the MK Party, which has been struggling to make inroads in the province.
“We are likely to see a breakaway and a division in Limpopo,” the leader said. “You are likely to see [Radzilani] getting a lot of sympathy, mainly because she [has had to] appear before the integrity commission for the third time on the same issue. Even if it is the premier who received the instruction [to attend the commission], it is still her name that is being discussed.
“She is just in a report, [in the same way] Gwede [Mantashe] is in the Zondo report. So what is different? She is in the report just as Nomvula [Mokonyane] is in the report. So why is she being targeted? It goes back to the inconsistencies of the integrity commission. It seems there are certain rules for some people and different rules for the others.”
While the province has hesitated to act on the commission’s recommendations, it is likely the commission will table the matter in its yearly report to the ANC’s national executive committee (NEC) on October 27.
ANC provincial spokesperson Jimmy Machaka referred all questions to the integrity commission.
“The ANC Limpopo notes your enquiry. However, we are unable to comment on the matter. With greatest respect, we humbly request that you refer the enquiry to the national integrity commission,” he said.
Among other ANC leaders likely to face scrutiny at the NEC meeting is justice minister Thembi Simelane, who is alleged to have been involved in a questionable loan agreement with VBS during her tenure as mayor of Polokwane. The Sunday Times understands the commission of elders has already made a recommendation to the NEC on this matter.
It is unclear what action the commission wants taken against Simelane, but its recommendation is said to already be with Luthuli House.
The Sunday Times understands ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula has already implored Simelane to step aside, but she refused.
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