ANC MP Sibusiso Kula accused of murdering his wife should be recalled from Parliament, party says

• The ANC's chief whip has written a report to the NEC to recommend that Sibusiso Kula be recalled. 
• Kula is accused of murdering his wife in November last year.
• He was denied bail in January.

The ANC's chief whip in Parliament, Pemmy Majodina, has recommended that ANC MP Sibusiso Kula, who is accused of murdering his wife, be recalled from the National Assembly.

Speaking to journalists on Monday, on the sidelines of the swearing-in of new MPs, including the deputy president of the ANC, Paul Mashatile, Majodina said she had written to the national executive committee (NEC), to advise that Kula step aside from party activities while he deals with the court case.

Last month, in the Orkney Magistrate's Court, Kula was denied bail by the magistrate, Liesl Esterhuizen, for the alleged murder of his wife, Jennifer Mohlomi, on 27 November.

"I have written a report about him and made a clear proposal for him to step aside. We are implementing that, and for him to be processed through the NDC [national disciplinary committee] as much as possible," said Majodina.

READ | ANC MP Sibusiso Kula promises to step aside as court denies bail in wife murder case

At his last court appearance, Kula's lawyer, Gcina Dlanjwa, said his client intended to vacate his position as per the ANC's step-aside rule.

Majodina added that the crime allegedly committed by Kula was "grave".

"The grave offence of the accusation against him is very serious on gender violence and femicide, and therefore we further recommended to the ANC to recall him from Parliament. We cannot allow such allegations against a Member of Parliament," she said.

Kula is back in court on 24 February.

Dlanjwa said his client intended to appeal the decision not to grant bail.