The ANCYL leader in the Free State, Phiwe Mathe, has stepped aside from participating in any roles within the ANC and the youth league activities.
This comes after Sunday World reported on Sunday that Mathe, who is charged with assaulting his baby mama, insisted that he would not step down from his position, claiming that the party’s step-aside rule does not apply to the young lions.
The stance of Mathe, who is a member of the provincial executive committee, of not stepping aside was also supported by the ANCYL provincial secretary, Mayibuye Bangani.
Letter on stepping aside
However, on Sunday, Mathe wrote a letter to Bangani stating that he was now stepping aside from his position as a youth league provincial spokesperson and PEC member.
In the letter we have seen, Mathe stated that he was voluntarily stepping aside from his leadership position within the youth league in the province and for the role he plays in the PEC.
“Having been indicted to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s court on a charge of common assault, I have decided to step aside from my duties as both a PEC member and spokesperson pending the finalisation of the case in the best interests of the organisation.
My decision to voluntarily recuse myself is taken with the full knowledge that the organisation is at liberty to impose terms and conditions to regulate my participation and conduct as a member during this period as it deems fit.
“I have also referred the matter to the integrity commission for it to consider and make recommendations to the PEC of the ANC in the Free State. This recusal will remain in effect until I inform you in writing on the conclusion of the matter,” reads Mathe’s letter to Bangani.
On Sunday, we reported that Mathe had stated that the ANC step-aside rule was not applicable to the ANCYL; however, after our report, he made a U-turn and took responsibility to adhere to the mother body policy on step-aside.
Out on bail
Mathe was arrested in May of this year by Bainsvlei police in Bloemfontein after the complainant opened a case against him. He was granted bail of R500 during his first appearance on May 24. The matter was remanded to July 12.
The young politician, who also works at the provincial Department of Public Works, maintains that he is innocent, claiming there is a political conspiracy behind the criminal matter.
He, however, agreed that the woman in question was his child’s mother.
After receiving Mathe’s letter, Bangani wrote to the ANCYL provincial PEC and the youth league NEC, where he said that the Free State PEC has guided the process that needs to be followed in Mathe’s case of common assault.
Leadership will be kept updated
“The provincial secretary had engagements with the ANCYL spokesperson (Mathe) immediately after this case was on social media and further asked ANCYL Phiwe Mathe to update the provincial secretary office (PSO) upon his first appearance. The ANCYL provincial spokesperson has voluntarily stepped aside and will continue to update the PSO so that we take along the PEC, including the public,” said Bangani.
“The ANCYL Free State PEC guided the process that needs to be followed in the matter of Cde Phiwe Mathe in his case of common assault. The provincial secretary had engagements with the ANCYL spokesperson immediately after this case was on social media and further asked Phiwe Mathe to update the provincial secretary office (PSO) upon his first appearance.
“The ANCYL provincial spokesperson has voluntarily stepped aside and will continue to update the PSO so that we take along the PEC, including the public,” reads the letter of Bangani to the ANCYL NEC and the Free State PEC.
