By OBAKENG MAJE
26 August 2025- The African National Congress (ANC) in North West said it will apply its mind on whether to implement the ‘step aside’ rule against embattled ANC Local Elections Team (LET) coordinator in Taung Sub-region, Moreotsile Israel Olifant (50) or not. Olifant was arrested for alleged fraud alongside the Expanded Public Works Program (EPWP) coordinator in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District, Malane Abraham Letsapa (45) by The Hawks’ Corruption Team in Taung and Vryburg on 16 August 2025.
The Hawks spokesperson in North West, Lieutenant Colonel Tinyiko Mathebula said the reports indicate that in December 2020, Dr Ruth Mompati District Municipality approved the implementation of the Presidential Stimulus Project (PSP) under the Department of Public Works and Roads’ EPWP. Mathebula said the project was allegedly intended to be rolled out in Matsheng and Tlapeng villages in the Greater Taung Municipality, which involved cutting of trees and grass along the main road leading to and from the two villages.
“It is alleged that the Oliphant facilitated the process of head hunting beneficiaries, while Letsapa processed claims for payment of beneficiaries for a period of three months. Investigation revealed that no services were rendered, resulting in the department suffering a loss of over R87 000.
“The accused made an urgent bail application on 17 August 2025, in the North West High Court sitting in Mahikeng and they were granted R2000 bail each. They will appear in Taung Magistrate’s Court on 18 August 2025, on charges of fraud,” he said.
Mathebula further said the case has been postponed and transferred to the Specialised Commercial Crime Unit in Vryburg until 30 September 2025. He added that Olifant and Letsapa were granted R2000 bail each.
The ANC provincial spokesperson, Tumelo Maruping said they are yet to receive a report from the region regarding what Olifant is charged for. He said the step aside rule has different schedules of offences.
“So, it will depend on the schedule of the offense. If indeed the offence warrants immediate redeployment, the ANC will most definitely apply the step aside rule,” he said.
Meanwhile, one of ANC members who refused to be named for fear of reprisal said: “In broad strokes, the guidelines required that ANC members facing allegations or charges of corruption (or other serious crimes) should present themselves to the Integrity Commission and should step aside voluntarily if indicted.
“So, the ANC must suspend Olifant in line with the ANC constitution – rule 25.56 that provides for leadership bodies to impose temporary suspension of members prior to the commencement of disciplinary proceedings.”
The ANC member also refers the ANC to a letter sent out to all provincial secretaries on 15 August 2025 with the subject: “Appointment of the 2026 Local Government Elections Candidate Selection Process”.
“The letter serves to request all the provincial secretaries to urgently direct all ANC branches in good standing to each recommend 2 Electoral Officers who shall preside over the nomination of candidates for the 2026 Local Government Elections.
“The Electoral Officers must meet the following minimum requirements: They must be ANC members in good standing, proven experience in presiding over branch nominations processes within the ANC, no criminal record and no disciplinary sanction by the ANC over the past ten years.
“Not facing any pending disciplinary action by the ANC, not facing any criminal charges in the court of law, one of the two Electoral Officers nominated by each branch in good standing must be a female.”
The Guardian 