The ANC has instructed its structures and provinces to act swiftly against members who have defied lockdown regulations.
The governing party’s national working committee has also called for action against members who were involved in the corruption of the looting of food parcels and supplies meant for poor households.
The party held an extended video conference of the NWC meeting, which included members of its national executive committee (NEC), the organisation’s highest decision-making body today.
“The NWC expressed its abhorrence at acts of defiance and ill-discipline by some of its own members, public representative, and leaders. It instructed its structures to investigate and act swiftly and decisively against any cadres who have defied lockdown regulations, looted food and supplies meant for poor households, and subverted procurement process through corrupt practices,” a statement of the party reads.
“The ANC headquarters will monitor and provide weekly reports to the Officials on immediate actions taken against these transgressors. These breaches do not in any way reflect the ethos of the ANC, and the movement, its government and public representatives will continue to serve the public with integrity.”
The move puts the spotlight on Communications and Digital Technologies Minister, Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams, and NEC member, Mdu Manana, who have come under fire after having a luncheon during lockdown.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has since put Ndabeni-Abrahams on a two-month special leave and docked her salary for one of these months. The president had said the law should take its course with regards to her violation of lockdown restrictions.
Ndabeni-Abrahams has since apologised to the nation, acknowledging that she had breached lockdown regulations and asked for forgiveness.
Police are investigating Ndabeni-Abrahams for contravention of the regulations.
But it remained to be seen if her party was going to take disciplinary action against her and Manana.
The NWC also reiterated that no protective clothing and food parcels should be branded with ANC symbols.
“The extended NWC condemns the partisan use of food parcels and warns that any ANC deployee who undermines the dignity and unity of the people, will be subject to disciplinary procedures,” the statement read.
