ANC officials placed on step aside following arrest over bribery allegations

In a decisive move highlighting its stance against corruption, the African National Congress (ANC) has swiftly placed two of its senior officials on step aside following their arrest in a bribery case.

The officials, Raymond Moraile, the regional secretary for the Bojanala region, and Peter Legong, a member of the Madibeng Municipality, were apprehended by the Hawks during an intelligence-driven operation in Menlyn, Pretoria, on Friday.

Accompanied by their driver, Menzi Mngadi, the trio faced the Pretoria Magistrate's Court shortly after their arrest. According to the Hawks' spokesperson, Colonel Katlego Mogale, the three allegedly demanded a substantial bribe of R300,000 from a local businessman in return for influencing the awarding of a lucrative tender published by the Madibeng Municipality in November 2025.

The investigation was launched after the businessman approached the police following an unsolicited offer from one of the suspects, who promised "assistance" in securing the tender. Colonel Mogale elaborated that this prompted the Serious Corruption Investigation team to take swift action, resulting in the gathering of substantial evidence which led to the operation and subsequent arrests.

Responding to the developments, ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri expressed the party's respect for law enforcement agencies and reiterated its commitment to upholding the rule of law and due process.

"In line with the ANC constitution, the Integrity Committee processes, and the resolution of the movement, including the recently concluded National General Council (NGC) which reaffirmed zero tolerance to corruption, both Comrades Raymond Moraile and Peter Legong are immediately placed on step aside from all organisational and government roles pending the finalisation of their legal processes. This step is taken to protect the integrity of the organisation and the credibility of the public institution," Motsiri-Bhengu stated.