Mpumalanga Premier Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane has dismissed Mandla Msibi from his position as Agriculture, Rural Development, Land and Environmental Affairs MEC.

This comes as he faces two murder charges and one attempted murder charge relating to an August shooting in which two people were killed and one injured.

Mtsweni-Tsipane said the decision was taken after consideration of the seriousness of the charges the MEC is facing, as well as the impact it would have on his work.

She added that the African National Congress (ANC) has set itself a moral standard, which its public representatives have to abide by.

"I wish to take this opportunity and announce that I have decided, after consultation with the ANC leadership in the province, to release MEC Msibi from his position in the provincial executive council with immediate effect," she said in a media briefing.

However, Msibi remains a member of the Mpumalanga provincial legislature as an ordinary member.

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Busisiwe Shiba will act in Msibi's role.

On Tuesday, Msibi appeared in the Nelspruit Magistrate's Court, along with his co-accused.

He handed himself over to police on Monday and has been previously charged with attempted murder, but was acquitted by the court three months ago.