AN ANC branch chairman implicated in the alleged theft of long-lasting sex pills (libido) at a certain pharmacy in QwaQwa, Free State, has disputed any wrongdoing.
Thabe Matela agreed that he went to the pharmacy to buy libido pills on Tuesday, 6 May.
"I've seen the irresponsible social media reports saying I stole penis enlargement pills. That is a blue lie. I was looking for sex drive pills not enlargement," he said.
Matela is a veteran ANC member who serves as the branch chairman for Ward 7 in the Maluti-a-Phofung Municipality.
His pictures recently went viral on social media alongside a red-and-black packet of libido pills written "fast acting, long lasting stamina and power".
Matela was captured on CCTV standing next to the shelves for a few minutes before walking away.
"I wasn't caught stealing pills. The person who took this to social media doesn't have the full story. I went directly to the shelf where my usual medication is kept. The medication wasn't on the shelf, so the pharmacist fetched it from the store room.
"Because of my disability, I was allowed to skip the queue. Since I only have one hand, I put the pills in my pocket to free up my hand to pay for the medication fetched from the store room. I forgot about the ones I took from the shelf. The security guard reminded me that I had pocketed another packet and I paid for them," he said.
ALSO READ | ATM 'bombers' bust with zaka!Opens in new window
Matela attributed the controversy surrounding his name to internal political conflicts in the ANC.
"This was fuelled by political differences as we approach the elections period. The person who shared my situation through a WhatsApp voice note is an ANC member trying to gain political leverage by dragging my name through the mud. I've done nothing wrong," he said.
ANC Thabo Mofutsanyana region spokesman King Mokoena said the party has noted developments around the incident that took place in the Maluti-a-Phofung sub-region on allegations of theft by one of its members.
"The ANC wishes to strongly condemn any acts of criminality attributable to any leaders and public representatives of the party. We are calling on law enforcement agencies to carry out their work in relation to his matter with the greatest urgency.
"We have learnt that no case has been laid against the said member, and he has not been formerly charged, but the ANC's corrective measures will be implemented as per the ANC's constitution and guidelines on disciplinary measures. The ANC will immediately develop a contingency leadership plan for the community of Ward 7 while legal matters relating to the branch chairman are running their due natural course," he said.
