Free State MEC for Community Safety, Roads and Transport Jabu Mbalula has been sworn in as the province’s acting premier.
This comes amid corruption allegations against incumbent Premier Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae.
Letsoha-Mathae and her husband Lawrence Mathae, who is the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipal Speaker, are alleged to have accepted bribes to sway the tender for a lucrative road construction project worth R269 million.
It is reported that the ANC has instructed Letsoha-Mathae to take immediate leave.
But the ANC in the province has come out guns blazing calling the reports that Letsoha-Mathae was instructed by the party to take leave amid corruption allegations as an onslaught on the premier.
Instead, the office of the Free State Premier says Letsoha-Mathae has taken sick leave for a medical procedure.
Acting Head of Communication from the office of the Premier, Setjhaba Maphalla says the move to appoint Mbalula as acting Premier will allow Letsoha-Mathae to recover.
“MEC Mbalula acting as premier will ensure continuity in governance allowing Premier Letsoha-Matha to focus on recuperating following a medical procedure. Acting Premier Mbalula steps into the role with extensive experience having served in various roles including in government local and abroad. The premier has indicated that she has full confidence that Mbalula will ensure continued progress and prosperity while having the full support of the executive and officials of government,” says Maphalla.
Meanwhile, Mbalula on Thursday took an oath to resume duties as acting premier until December 15.
He has vowed to hold the position with honour and dignity and further promised to be a “true and faithful councillor”.
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