A senior ANC ward councillor in the troubled Free State-based Maluti-A-Phofung Local Municipality is expected to appear before the Phuthaditjhaba Magistrate’s Court to face fraud charges.

Member of the mayoral committee (MMC) for Social Development, Pastor Mary Crockett, is scheduled to apply for bail on Wednesday after being arrested over the weekend for fraud, following accusations that she has been selling government houses and vacant sites in the area.

On Monday, Crockett made a brief appearance, but the case of fraud against the Ward 28 councillor was remanded to Wednesday, August 6, and she remains behind bars.

Free State police spokesperson Warrant Officer Mmako Mophiring confirmed that Crockett has been charged with fraud.

DA councillor Ana Motaung said the party believed it would be better that she be replaced as MMC pending the outcome of the case against her.

“Only the MEC (Free State Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Saki Mokoena) can remove her as a councillor, which he won’t do until there is a court finding.

“But the mayor (of Maluti-A-Phofung, Malekula Melato) has the power to replace her as MMC,” she explained.

Motaung added that the mayor appointed her, and she can remove her.

“The DA will commit to monitoring the court proceedings until the matter is fully resolved.”

Maluti-A-Phofung spokesperson Thabo Khessah said it is still early days for Melato to make a determination on whether or not to sack Crockett.

“MMC Crockett still has to appear in court and follow due court processes. We need to emphasise that she hasn’t been found guilty of any crime. Like any other person, she’s presumed innocent until proven otherwise,” he stated.

ANC Thabo Mofutsanyana regional secretary Jeff Mohapi said: “The ANC awaits a report regarding the matter of which upon a receipt of such a report, it will act accordingly.”

Crockett, known internationally as HIV/Aids pastor, has featured in a number of international publications and television news channels and for a number of years has run the Pheko Ka Kopanelo Development Centre to assist orphaned children.

loyiso.sidimba@inl.co.za

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