A special session of the ANC National Executive Committee (NEC) has ended in a massive success for Cyril Ramaphosa the president of the ruling party. A resolution was made that those criminally charged are not eligible for leadership positions.
ANC’S STEP ASIDE RULE
The party’s national spokesperson Pule Mabe said on Tuesday the ANC NEC agreed that any member who had stepped aside voluntarily following an indictment to appear in a court of law on any charge should not be allowed to stand for a leadership position.
“This includes branch regional, provincial and national executive committees. Likewise, any member who has been suspended following an indictment to appear in a court of law on any charge should also not be allowed to stand for a position on the committees. The NEC recognized that the implementation of the “step-aside” resolution constitutes an important and groundbreaking element in the renewal and rebuilding of the organization,”
said Mabe
Mabe says the resolution will be subject to ongoing improvement and refinement, guided by practice, policy and the provisions of the ANC Constitution.
In February 2021, the ANC NEC adopted Guidelines and Procedures on the Implementation of National Conference Resolutions on ANC Credibility and Integrity. Specifically, Dealing with Corruption and on Fighting Crime and Corruption that dealt with the implementation of the “step-aside” resolution adopted by the 54th National Conference.
“The NEC reiterated the call that a leader should lead by example. They should be above reproach in their political and social conduct. They should act as a role model to ANC members and non-members alike,”
said ANC national spokesperson Pule Mabe.
The special session was held between 24 and 25 April.
A KILLSHOT TO CADRES
The move is an attempt to save face and restore credibility with the public following multiple scandals and ongoing factional disputes.
Earlier this month, the embattled former mayor and corruption-accused Zandile Gumede was elected as the ANC’s eThewkini regional chair.
In March Mandla Msibi was elected as Mpumalanga’s provincial treasurer, in sit of being accused of murder.
The ANC’s step-aside resolution has already hindered the political machinations of Ace Magashule in his office as secretary-general.
The new development could prevent future political aspirations within the ANC.
READ MORE: Zandile Gumede elected ANC eThekwini Regional Chairperson
