MBOMBELA – Supporters of the Save the ANC Mpumalanga campaign need to fret about possible disciplinary action being taken against them by the party.
The groups staged a massive march to the provincial headquarters of their own party in July. One of the organisers, Mr Peter Nyoni, was given another chance by the ANC when the disciplinary committee decided against expelling him from the party.
The former member of the ANC’s provincial executive committee (PEC) was informed yesterday that the party had decided to only suspend him.
Ms Violet Siwela, deputy chairman of the ANC in Mpumalanga and a member of the disciplinary committee, made the announcement to the press yesterday morning.
She said it had been recommended that Nyoni be suspended for three years, but it was decided to amend this to two years.
Nyoni will thus remain an active member, provided that he doesn’t undermine the authority of the provincial leadership or perform factional acts to bring the party into disrepute during that time.
“He is not expelled. We are giving him room to improve,” explained Siwela.
Nyoni was provisionally suspended after inciting ANC members to stage a march on the party’s provincial headquarters Che Masilela House in July.
Hundreds of party members participated in the march in the name of the Save the ANC Mpumalanga campaign to air their grievances, centered on the party leadership allegedly being imposed.
Siwela explained that no disciplinary action would be taken against these members, as they had explained their reasons for participating. She said they had been directed to take their issues up with the districts.
“Any member must follow structural procedures.”
She added that Nyoni’s case was considered special because he was a member of the PEC at the time who “coordinated a meeting outside the party structures. In terms of the constitution that is not allowed”.
Siwela denied that the action of the Save the ANC Mpumalanga campaign would negatively impact on the forthcoming local government elections.
“The yellow, green and black is glue.
“We are against the opposition parties. When we have to fight, we group together. We may differ in opinion but we are not enemies. We deal with our differences and will continue doing that.”
