Veteran African National Congress (ANC) leader Thabang Makwetla, has voluntarily stepped aside from his party roles following his appearance in the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes Court, where he faces fraud and non-disclosure charges linked to a security upgrade at his home, allegedly funded by Bosasa.

In a statement issued this week, the ANC praised Makwetla’s decision as: “principled and voluntary,” noting that he has relinquished his responsibilities as Chair of the ANC’s National Executive Committee’s: “Subcommittee on Peace and Stability and Convener of Deployees” in Limpopo. The party invoked the 55th National Conference mandate requiring members formally charged with misconduct to step aside to protect the movement’s integrity.

Makwetla has been granted R10 000 bail. The charges stem from allegations that, around 2015, Bosasa carried out a security upgrade at Makwetla’s private residence, valued at approximately R350 000, a material benefit he is accused of failing to declare to Parliament over multiple years. His matter has been postponed, with the next court appearance scheduled for early next month.

Makwetla was previously Premier of Mpumalanga and also served as a Deputy Minister.

The ANC defended Makwetla, emphasising that stepping aside is not an admission of guilt, and that the decision helped safeguard the party’s reputation as legal processes unfold.