EMBATTLED former ANC Youth League leader Andile Lungisa has resigned from the ANC provincial executive with immediate effect.
His resignation follows a frank discussion with ANC provincial leaders after his arrest last Friday on allegations he stole R2.5-million from the Department of Arts and Culture.
Lungisa was arrested together with his wife, Ursula Sali, and alleged accomplices Thabo Shogole and Xolisile Guqaza.
The R2.5-million from the department was for an R Kelly show that never materialised.
They were each released on R10000 bail.
Lungisa was elected to the ANC’s PEC in a hotly contested elective conference in Port Elizabeth three months ago.
Insiders told the Daily Dispatch that at the meeting, Lungisa put the blame for his arrest on attempts by Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula (who was acting arts minister at the time) to embarrass him, as he (Mbalula) had wanted Brandy Norwood to perform and not R Kelly.
The Times reported on Monday that Mbalula planned to file a defamation case against Lungisa because of the accusations.
Addressing the media yesterday, ANC provincial chairman Phumulo Masualle said: “Having considered his submission, whose thrust we accepted, we resolved firstly to accept his request to be relieved of his political duties while he devotes his energy to clearing his good name”.
Masualle said Lungisa would be afforded his full rights – that he remains innocent until proven otherwise.
He said it was for this same reason the PEC would allow branches to continue to nominate Lungisa, if they deemed fit, for any position in Bhisho or parliament, as the party prepares for its provincial list conference later this month.
Lungisa was nominated by both the OR Tambo and Alfred Nzo regions to be on the ANC candidate lists for the provincial legislature next year.
The party expressed concern at how police had handled his arrest as he was the only one who was shackled during his court appearance on Friday.
Contacted for comment yesterday, Lungisa said: “I am pleased with the response I have received from officials, including the stance to stick to the principle of the presumption of innocence of any individual until proven otherwise.
“I urge everyone to allow the due processes of the law to take its course, which we have full confidence in. We will continue to cooperate with law enforcement agencies in ensuring that this case draws to its finality and our names are cleared.” — abongiles@dispatch.co.za/zineg@dispatch.co.za
Former youth leader gives up new executive seat
His resignation follows a frank discussion with ANC provincial leaders after his arrest last Friday on allegations he stole R2.5-million from the Department of Arts and Culture.
Lungisa was arrested together with his wife, Ursula Sali, and alleged accomplices Thabo Shogole and Xolisile Guqaza.
The R2.5-million from the department was for an R Kelly show that never materialised.
They were each released on R10000 bail.
Lungisa was elected to the ANC’s PEC in a hotly contested elective conference in Port Elizabeth three months ago.
Insiders told the Daily Dispatch that at the meeting, Lungisa put the blame for his arrest on attempts by Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula (who was acting arts minister at the time) to embarrass him, as he (Mbalula) had wanted Brandy Norwood to perform and not R Kelly.
The Times reported on Monday that Mbalula planned to file a defamation case against Lungisa because of the accusations.
Addressing the media yesterday, ANC provincial chairman Phumulo Masualle said: “Having considered his submission, whose thrust we accepted, we resolved firstly to accept his request to be relieved of his political duties while he devotes his energy to clearing his good name”.
Masualle said Lungisa would be afforded his full rights – that he remains innocent until proven otherwise.
He said it was for this same reason the PEC would allow branches to continue to nominate Lungisa, if they deemed fit, for any position in Bhisho or parliament, as the party prepares for its provincial list conference later this month.
Lungisa was nominated by both the OR Tambo and Alfred Nzo regions to be on the ANC candidate lists for the provincial legislature next year.
The party expressed concern at how police had handled his arrest as he was the only one who was shackled during his court appearance on Friday.
Contacted for comment yesterday, Lungisa said: “I am pleased with the response I have received from officials, including the stance to stick to the principle of the presumption of innocence of any individual until proven otherwise.
“I urge everyone to allow the due processes of the law to take its course, which we have full confidence in. We will continue to cooperate with law enforcement agencies in ensuring that this case draws to its finality and our names are cleared.” — abongiles@dispatch.co.za/zineg@dispatch.co.za
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