SEDIBENG.- The ANC in Sedibeng is awaiting a full report to determine the motive behind an unsanctioned press briefing held by several Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) councillors.

The media briefing took place on Wednesday at the Evaton Lifestyle venue.

The councillors reportedly used the briefing to formally call for a Special Investigating Unit (SIU) proclamation within the ELM, a step would allow the state to probe serious allegations of corruption and maladministration.

This move was originally initiated by ELM Mayor, Sipho Radebe, earlier this year.

Speaking to local media, the councillors stated that their decision to support the mayor’s request for an investigation is not an act of rebellion, but rather, “a desperate cry for intervention”.

Before the event, the office of the ANC Regional Secretary, Jason Mkhwane, released a statement saying that it had not been formally briefed or consulted about the media briefing.

“The ANC in Sedibeng has not sanctioned any media briefing by ANC Councillors on this matter. The organisation communicates through properly mandated structures and authorised platforms. All ANC councillors are bound by organisational discipline, caucus processes, and the code of conduct signed by public representatives.”

The statement further stressed that matters of governance and organisational positions cannot be communicated outside approved party processes, and confirmed that the matter would be attended to through appropriate organisational channels.

Following the briefing, Mkhwane stated that the organisation is still awaiting the full report to establish the real motive behind the event.

“We will openly brief members of the media once we have concluded the internal engagements and related resolutions,” Mkhwane said.