The arrest of MEC China Dodovu has piled pressure on Premier Thandi Modise who now faces the possibility of watching the implosion of her cabinet.

Dodovu was arrested by the Hawks in Potchefstroom on Monday as the eighth suspect implicated in the murder of ANC regional secretary Obuti Chika in December last year. Dodovu becomes the most senior ANC politician to be arrested in connection with Chika’s killing.

The development came on the back of three other MECs whose positions are under serious threat following damning revelations of financial improprieties.

They include social development MEC Mositsanagape Mokomele-Mothibi who conceded to having spent R174000 on accommodation and entertainment during her excursion with friends to Mangaung last year. Possibilities are that she will be removed by the ANC and have a criminal case opened against her.

The other two are finance and education MECs Paul Sebegoe and Louisa Mabe. The two are jointly under a multi-pronged investigation by the Hawks, the public protector, the auditor general and the Public Service Commission after close to R20m was spent on legal fees in disciplinary cases involving three officials.

Results of the investigation are to be released soon and if implicated, the two face the possibility of arrest.Ironically, Modise appointed Sebegoe to act at the local government department, raising serious concerns over her position on the fate of her lieutenants.

Political analyst Prof André Duvenage from the North West University said: “This is an all-time low for the province and we are likely to see continued tension as long as ANC members do not set aside their differences. Assassination incidents are becoming more frequent, considering that just before Obuti Chika was gunned down, an alleged attempt was made on suspended ANC provincial secretary Kabelo Mataboge.

“It’s time for an overall clean up of the province and it rests upon Premier Thandi Modise to take decisive action.”

The DA’s Chris Hattingh said Dodovu’s arrest placed Modise in a predicament, with four members of her cabinet now under a cloud.
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