ANC denies PS is involved t in Bojanala extortion scandal

By Molaole Montsho 

The provincial secretary of the ANC in North West, Louis Diremelo is not involved in the extortion scandal in the Bojanala region.

Provincial spokesperson Tumelo Maruping said the party noted social media posts linking  Diremelo in the extortion case involving the ANC Bojanala regional secretary Raymond Moraile and Madibeng councillor Peter Legong.

Moraile, Legong and their driver Menzi Mngadi were arrested in Pretoria for allegedly soliciting a bribe from a businessman.

“The ANC wishes to categorically state that Cde. Louis Diremelo is not associated with, nor has he had any involvement in the alleged activities in the case as it is currently the subject of investigation by law enforcement agencies,” Maruping said.

“Any attempt to link the provincial secretary to these allegations is false, unfounded, and deliberately misleading.

“These reckless social media posts appear to be part of a coordinated campaign aimed at tarnishing the image and integrity of the leadership of the ANC in the province, sowing confusion among members of society, and undermining public confidence in the organisation.”

Bojanala regional secretary Raymond Moraile, 40, Madibeng local municipality councillor Peter Legong, 39, and Menzi Mngadi, 42, were arrested on extortion charges on December 11.

They  allegedly solicited a R300.000 bribe from a businessman in exchange that the businessman would be awarded a tender at the Madibeng local municipality in Brits.

Legong serves as a member of the mayoral committee (MMC) responsible for public safety, fleet and facility management in the Madibeng municipality.

The ANC has ordered Moraile and Legong to step aside from the party and government activities with immediate effect.

The two were the first to be subjected to the party resolution at its National General Council that party members facing criminal charges should step aside from party and government activities.

Previously party members only stepped aside from ANC activities.

“In line with the ANC constitution, the Integrity commission processes, and resolutions of the movement, including the clear outcomes of the recently concluded 5th National General Council (NGC) which reaffirmed zero tolerance to corruption, both Cde Raymond Moraile and Cde Peter Legong are immediately placed on step aside from all organisational and government responsibilities pending the finalisation of their legal processes.” national spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said.

“The ANC reiterates its unwavering commitment to intensifying the fight against corruption and all forms of malfeasance at every level of society,” she said.

Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said the three were arrested in an intelligence driven operation after they demanded a gratification amounting to R300,000-00 from a local businessman.

“It is alleged that the complainant was contacted by one of the suspects inquiring if the businessman was interested in being assisted to secure a tender. 

“Subsequently, the trio is reported to have arranged a meeting with the businessman wherein they discussed the amount to exchange hands.  The law-abiding businessman then reported the matter to the Serious Corruption Investigation who in turn obtained the necessary documents to set up an operation,” Colonel Mogale said.

ActionSA in North West has called on Madibeng mayor Douglas Maimane to take decisive steps to protect the integrity of the municipality.

“We further call for a transparent, interference-free process to ensure that the public can trust that justice will not be compromised or politically manipulated,” said provincial chairperson Thabo Nkashe.

The South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco) in Bojanala said it would monitor the implementation of the step aside policy of the ANC.

“This is to ensure consistency without favour across the board whilst the accused undergoes  legal journey to clear their names respectively,” regional spokesperson Andrew Maluleka said.

Madibeng mayor Douglas Maimane has appointed Magdonia Masuku as acting member of the mayoral committee responsible for public safety and fleet management while Legong is subjected to the step aside policy of the ANC.

The three were released on R10 000 bail each. The case against them was postponed to February,9, 2026 for further investigation