By The African National Congress (ANC) in the Free State Province has broken its silence against what it terms ‘continuous attacks’ on the Premier of the province Ms MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae.
According to the party’s Provincial Secretary General Cde Polediso Motsoeneng, the ANC is perturbed by the recent attack on Letsoha-Mathae as reported by some media houses following her appointing the MEC for Community Safety, Roads and Transport Mr Jabu Mbalula as Acting Premier from 15 November to 15 December 2024.
It is alleged that the Premier has been instructed to take sick leave following damning allegations of corruption against her.
The ANC in the Free State has expressed concern about the continuous onslaught on Premier Letsoha-Mathae.
“These laughable, yet unsurprising reports, emanate from the swearing in of Comrade Jabu Mbalula as the Acting Premier while Comrade Letsoha-Mathae is recuperating. The African National Congress is particularly concerned about the constant onslaught on Comrade Letsoha-Mathae.
It is deeply worrying that, since her assumption of the Office of the Premier, certain media houses have gone out of their way to try and taint her image and standing as a public figure. These attacks have gained traction in recent weeks, with outrageous claims being made against the person of Comrade Letsoha-Mathae,” said Motsoeneng.
Motsoeneng said the attacks on MaQueen Letsoha-Mathae seem to be deliberate and coordinated to discredit her in the eyes of society. Though the Premier’s health is a private matter, the ANC sought to set the record straight in defence of the Premier.
The party listed the following in clarifying the matter:
· Comrade Letsoha-Mathae is attending to health matters. As a result, and with advice from her doctor, she has taken leave.
· In her capacity as the Premier, she has powers to appoint any member of the executive council to act as a Premier during this period.
· It was in Comrade Letsoha-Mathae’s wisdom that she deemed Comrade Mbalula fit enough to assume the enormous responsibility of acting as the Premier of the province.
· The suggestion that she was “instructed” to take sick leave is shameful at worst, and laughable at best and confirms the ANC’s long held suspicion that women leaders are deliberately undermined, for there is no leader in his/her right mind who would agree to be instructed to take sick leave.
· The ANC reiterates its support for press freedom, but also wishes to remind the media of the great responsibility of responsible and fair reporting. The continuous attacks on Comrade Letsoha-Mathae goes against media ethics which the ANC fought so hard for.
The ANC has since wished the Premier a speedy recovery.
