ANC to meet to decide on fate of ‘implicated’ members
The ANC is yet to manage the internal conflict that has resulted from the party's IEC list.
ANC top six: Jessie Duarte, Ace Magashule, Gwede Mantashe, Cyril Ramaphosa, David Mabuza and Paul Mashatile. Picture: Gallo Images
An ANC national executive committee (NEC) meeting taking place on Monday is expected to provide a way forward for those ANC members implicated in corruption and state capture. The special meeting is expected to be used to discuss those ANC members implicated, as well as to indicate the direction the party will be taking going into the May 8 elections.
The ANC appears to have conflicting views on those implicated in corruption. The party officially made the decision to allow those implicated to remain on the list on the grounds that they are innocent until proven guilty, but others are believed to oppose this and have requested the members to step aside.
Party secretary-general Ace Magashule is one of those who has defended the list, saying people who did not have a criminal record should remain on it, while party stalwart Cheryl Carolus sang a different tune.
Former president Kgalema Motlanthe also commented on the party’s list saying it did not inspire any confidence.
Speaking at the Ahmed Kathrada foundation recently, Carolus said the ANC had to take a clear stand on those implicated. Referring to those implicated as “tsotsis”, she said it was “nonsense” to defend those implicated as “innocent until proven guilty”.
She was heavily criticised by the ANC Women’s League (ANCWL), who labelled her utterances reckless and divisive.
ANC spokesperson Dakota Legoete confirmed Monday’s meeting and that the party’s list would feature in today’s discussions.
He told The Sowetan: “One of the approaches we will discuss is whether people who are implicated should step aside if there are issues or should the party allow the IEC (Electoral Commission of South Africa) to remove you.” Those facing criminal charges were removed from the list, he said.
The party could not take action against those implicated, as they had not yet been found guilty, according to Legoete.
The IEC published the list of candidates representing political parties contesting the national elections on Friday.
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