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By Sifiso Mahlangu, Sihle Mavuso 
1 hour ago
Johannesburg – President Cyril Ramaphosa’s instruction that party members who have pending charges in court must immediately withdraw from government or leadership roles faces the opposition with no member abiding so far.
The “new rule” has put National Assembly Speaker Thandi Modise in the crossfire after a group of ANC members calling themselves Reclaim-ANC requested a hearing with the Integrity Commission to present a case. on why Modise should be the first to get out of his position.
The Mpumalanga-based group said it was working to ensure that all high-ranking ANC members with current court battles resign from their duties. Independent media could not determine whether the group was linked in any way to Vice President DD Mabuza.
Ramaphosa’s drill came after a grueling three-day NEC meeting. Modise is being prosecuted privately by defender Gerrie Nel, head of AfriForum’s private prosecution unit, which represents the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA). The NSPCA called AfriForum after the National Prosecution Authority (NPA) refused to prosecute.
“Modise cannot be treated differently from other citizens by the NPA simply because she holds an important political position. AfriForum’s private prosecution unit was particularly set up to intervene in cases like this one from Modise, ”said Kallie Kriel, Director of AfriForum.
Political analyst Thando Dotyeni said Modise was in a quagmire. “You cannot claim that a charge of serious animal abuse is lighter than Andile Lungisa hitting a man on the head with a jug of water. It will have to be exemplary. If the new law applies, he will have to leave, ”Dotyeni said.
Members embarrassed by the decision included former state security minister Bongani Bongo and Eastern Cape ANC heavyweight Andile Lungisa.
Bongo, who on Monday said he was stepping aside, is now digging in his heels, saying the ANC will instruct him on what to do. “I am waiting for the ANC to tell me what to do, I am waiting for it in writing,” he said. Bongo faces a pending corruption trial in Cape Town.
While attempts to speak to Lungisa failed, he is reported to have gone into hiding as well, saying that his conviction was not related to corruption, but involved an assault and that he is appealing against him.
The resolution of the ANC meeting on convicted members reads: “ANC cadres who are convicted of corruption or other serious crimes must resign from leadership positions and face disciplinary action in accordance with the ANC constitution.”
Of those reported as being involved in acts of corruption, the party said: “ANC cadres who are reported to be involved in corrupt criminal practices and other serious criminal practices should go to the Integrity Commission to explain themselves. Those who do not give an acceptable explanation can be suspended. “
Attempts to contact the ANC spokesperson, Pule Mabe, to clarify whether the resolution also links Modise failed.
Mabe ignored the calls and messages after Modise spokesman Moloto Mothapo said the ruling party was in the best position to comment on the matter.
Two provincial youth league structures said that while they supported the decision to expel the members, it should be carried out with great caution.
Khalid Sayed, provincial president of the youth league in the Western Cape, said they had no qualms about expelling those already convicted. However, he warned that the way the members would be expelled, because they are accused of corruption, must be carefully examined.
“Where you have to be careful is when there are accusations. I think it’s okay too and it’s fair to allow one to keep the benefits while stepping aside until basically everything is done. I think it is a good step and it is fair. There has to be coherence, thoroughness in these cases, ”he said.
Seal Pietersen, a spokesman for the ANC’s youth league in Free State, said they had faith in national officials who had been assigned responsibility for developing guidelines on the execution and implementation of the revocation resolution. “We are hopeful that these guidelines are consistent with the principle of presuming that people are innocent until proven guilty.”
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