The measures include getting your membership suspended and facing the wrath of the justice system as stipulated

This was prompted by what it described as a disgraceful conduct by one of its members, a councilor from Ward 2 in Hendrix’s, Musawenkosi “Cheppy” Masina from Steve Tshwete Local Municipality.

He was arrested by the police for issuing illegal permits to local and foreign Spaza shop owners.

Acting provincial secretary, Lindiwe Ntshalintshali described his actions “as having putthe name of the ANC and our government into disrepute. The ANC public representatives are expected to display high moral discipline towards a strong united collective.”

Masina was arrested by South African Police and detained on 9 April 2020 for issuing illegal permits and contravening the Disaster Management Act 2002 amended regulation issued in terms of section 27(2). He was detailed at Hendrina’s Police Station without bail as per the Senior Public Protector’s decision.

According to the Police, there is prima facie case against Masina.

The ANC, Municipality and SAPS are in a possession of illegal permits which are alleged to have been issued by the councillor including Affidavits from the Foreign Spaza shop owners, confirming that they have paid monies (R1,000 & R300) to the councillor for his assistance.

According to the relaxed regulation on informal traders:
• Only the LED Officer in the designated municipality is authorised to issue permits to South African owned traders with valid Identity Documents.
• On Foreign Nationals, verification must be done by the relevant state authority vested with powers to do so and not the municipality.
• Some of the conditions are that the owner of the shop must have been lawfully admitted into the republic and be in possession of a valid passport with a VISA issued in terms of immigration Act of 2002, section 11(6) authorising him or her to operate business.
• The owner must have an asylum seekers permit issued in terms of refugees act 1998 with a condition to work.
• In a case of asylum seeker with a permit, the Spaza shop permit must be temporary and linked to the period of asylum seeker permit as issued by the department of Home Affairs.
The PEC Officials held a teleconference meeting on Sunday to discuss the conduct of Masina.

“The meeting reiterated the importance of all ANC members and its deployees to examine their actions and to ensure that they are in line with the character set out in the Policies and the ANC Constitution. The Office of the Provincial Secretary interacted with the Office of the Secretary General after the outcome of the teleconference meeting, and the SG concurred with the Officials recommendations.

“The ANC has declared fraud and corruption as an enemy of progress and a stumbling block to our National Democratic Revolution programme, and must be dealt with decisively. It is against this background that the ANC Officials resolved to summarily suspend the membership of Cllr Musawenkosi Masina with immediate effect, pending all allegations levelled against him are finalised.

“All ANC members and public representatives’ conduct must display a conduct which is above reproach and must lead by example as they service our people of South Africa.

“Any member found or alleged to be involved in corrupt activities, abusing state resources or using the COVID-19 interventions for selfish political interest, will be dealt with in terms of Rule 25 of the ANC Constitution. The ANC 54th National Conference resolutions were clear to all members that:
• The ANC constitutional structures should be resolute and decisive in stamping out ill-discipline and should do so without fear or favour; as such behaviour damages the image of the ANC.

“The ANC welcomes the prompt decision taken by the Speaker of Steve Tshwete Local Municipality to immediately suspend Cllr Musawenkosi “Cheppy” Masina from council. All ANC government Deployees are expected to confine to the ANC Constitution prescripts on the character and nature of the organisation, this includes amongst others their constitutional obligations when executing their duties.

“On the 15 March 2020, our President Cyril Ramaphosa declared a National Disaster on COVID-19 outbreak to enable all South Africans to take appropriate measures to stop the spread of this pandemic and all ANC Deployees are directed to adhere to the call.
“The ANC Leadership in the province appeals to all our comrades and deployees to refrain from putting the name of the ANC into disrepute and exercise maximum discipline during this Lockdown period, and comply with the Lockdown regulations, especially on the restriction of movements of persons or goods, use of public transport, attendance of funerals (50) and no public gatherings.

“We further plead with our communities to respect and work with the SAPS and the SANDF as they enforce the Lockdown regulations, and together as a Nation, we can reduce the spread of COVID-19, promote personal hygiene, stay at home and keep social distance,” concluded Ntshalintshali.