The ANC in Mpumalanga has revoked Philemon Lukhele’s membership, saying that him not being South African goes against the ‘stipulated requirements of the ANC Constitution’.

Lukhele was arrested earlier in May in connection with the murder of Hillary Gardee. He, together with co-accused Mkhatshwa and Victor Gama, face charges of conspiracy to murder, kidnapping, rape, possession of an illegal firearm, defeating the ends of justice and murder.

On Sunday, the ANC announced that it has suspended Lukhele’s membership. The organisation also says he had obtained his membership through irregular means.

“The ANC provincial working committee has taken a decision to immediately withdraw his membership,” says ANC provincial spokesperson, Ngelosi Ndhlovu.

“The withdrawal of his membership has been invoked in accordance with the ANC Constitution rule 4 after an investigation proved that his membership was obtained irregularly, and therefore does not satisfy the stipulated requirements of the ANC Constitution in that he is not a South African,” Ndhlovu says.

Last week, Lukhele was dealt two heavy financial blows.

The University of Mpumalanga terminated his student accommodation contracts and his employers, the Office of the Chief Whip at the provincial legislature, suspended his employment contract without pay.

The EFF see these actions as a major victory. They have been calling for sanctions against Lukhele and his businesses since his arrest.

“The EFF in Mpumalanga welcomes the termination of his student contracts by the University of Mpumalanga. We also welcome the decision to suspend him without pay.

“This is victory for us and the Gardee family who is going through a painful journey right now. We have always maintained that the guest lodge belonging to Lukhele was only there as a house of horrors in which young black children were treated with the highest hospitality of hell,” says the EFF Mpumalanga leader, Collen Sedibe.

Lukhele and his co-accused will appear in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court on June 9.