ANC Hails Makwetla's "Principled" Step-Aside Amid R350,000 BOSASA Fraud and Corruption Charges

JOHANNESBURG – In a significant test of its internal governance, the African National Congress (ANC) has welcomed the decision of National Executive Committee (NEC) member Thabang Makwetla to "voluntarily step aside" following his appearance in the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on serious corruption and fraud charges.

The party praised Makwetla for his "exemplary discipline and political maturity" in relinquishing his roles without being directed, a move that aligns with the ANC's contentious step-aside rule.

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The Charges: A Failure to Declare BOSASA Benefits

The principled political gesture stands in stark contrast to the gravity of the charges laid against the veteran politician. Makwetla faces prosecution for:

• Contravention of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act (PRECCA).
• Fraud.

The charges stem from a R350,000 security upgrade allegedly performed on Makwetla’s private home in Bramley Gardens, Johannesburg, by the controversial facilities management company BOSASA in 2015.

According to the state's case, the core of the allegation is Makwetla’s repeated failure to disclose this material benefit to Parliament over a period of four years. This omission is cited as a direct violation of the Members of Parliament Code of Ethical Conduct and Disclosure of Members’ Interests, which mandates transparency to avoid conflicts of interest.

ANC Framing: Voluntary Action and Organizational Renewal

In an official statement, the ANC framed Makwetla's decision as a voluntary act that strengthens the party's renewal agenda. He has stepped down as the Chairperson of the NEC Subcommittee on Peace and Stability and as the Convener of Deployees in Limpopo.

"The 55th National Conference reaffirmed that cadres of the ANC who are formally charged should not await instruction from the movement but must voluntarily step aside to protect the integrity and image of the organisation," the statement read, commending Makwetla for reflecting "a deep understanding of revolutionary morality."

The party was careful to note that the step-aside rule is "not a declaration of guilt," but a measure to safeguard the ANC's public standing while legal processes unfold.

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The BOSASA Shadow and the Legal Road Ahead

The case against Makwetla revives the long-standing shadow of BOSASA, a company implicated at the State Capture Commission for systematically bribing government officials to secure lucrative contracts. The allegations suggest that the security upgrade was part of this pattern of providing perks to officials.

While Makwetla has previously denied any wrongdoing, the court will now examine evidence presented by the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption to determine if the non-disclosure was intentional and constitutes fraud.

This high-profile case represents a critical moment for the ANC's step-aside policy, demonstrating its application to senior leadership while the judiciary separately determines guilt or innocence. The outcome will be closely watched as a barometer of the party's commitment to accountability.