The ANC’s candidate list has widened the chasm in the governing party after senior party members butted heads over the inclusion of those implicated in the state capture report, which has been an albatross around the neck of Africa’s oldest movement.
This happened at the ANC’s highly charged virtual meeting on Thursday.
Party members led by Veterans League president, Snuki Zikalala, ANC Youth League secretary Mntuwoxolo Ngudle and national executive committee member Mdumiseni Ntuli pushed for the removal of those pickled in the state capture report, arguing that the governing party’s own polling showed that the issue caused distrust among the voters.
Among those implicated were Sports Minister Zizi Kodwa, Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister David Mahlobo, national assembly house chairperson Cedric Frolick, and former minister of finance Malusi Gigaba.
But those who pushed for their removal, came out of the meeting with bloodied noses as those gainst the idea “whitewashed” them.
The opposing camp claimed that much of what came out of the state capture report would never stand up to legal scrutiny. Therefore, no one should be forced to step aside from public or party office unless criminally charged, they said.
The opposing camp consisted of deputy human settlements minister, Pam Tshwete, ANC member of parliament and chairperson of the portfolio committee on tourism Tandi Mahambehlala, basic education minister Angie Motshekga, KwaZulu-Natal ANC chairperson Siboniso Duma, as well as national executive committee members Nonceba Mhlauli and Joy Maimela.
Eventually, the ANC’s highest decision-making body chose to sit on the fence, making a “compromise decision” that the party still had the power to recall those implicated after the elections. “As a matter of managing public perception, we have decided to come back to this issue when there are more details about anyone mentioned in this state capture report,” said an insider. “You can then send people to parliament or the cabinet, and you can also withdraw them on a case-by-case basis.”
Those who were defeated are now counting on President Cyril Ramaphosa to intervene and stamp his authority, saying that “the ANC should never defend corruption”.
Sunday World learned that before the virtual meeting, the ANC national working committee had on Monday mandated the party’s top 7, together with the electoral committee headed by former president Kgalema Motlanthe, to finalise the candidate list and present their report at Thursday’s special national executive committee.
It was during this process that Kodwa, Mahlobo, Frolick, and Gigaba were expunged from the list.
This was allegedly because both Kodwa and Frolick had adverse findings against them after appearing before the ANC integrity commission to explain their alleged role in the state capture. However, neither Gigaba nor Mahlobo bothered to appear before the ethics body.
Sunday World understands that even before the sitting, ANC secretary general Fikile Mbalula tried to get the four to resign but they refused.
He did not ask Ramaphosa, ANC chairperson and Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, Defence and Military Veterans Deputy Minister Thabang Makwetla and former health minister Zweli Mkhize to resign because they had been exonerated by the integrity committee and declared eligible to go to parliament.
A source said the state capture report was based on untested accusations, and it was easy to accuse people but bringing evidence before the courts was very difficult. “So people cannot be processed based on accusations. Anyone can accuse anyone, any day. We cannot work like that.”
The source added: “It has been two years since the commission concluded and made findings on people. If there were people to be charged, why not charge them? Why must we act on people when law enforcement has not acted for two years?”
Also, said the person, acting against those charged was not perfect, citing as an example the case of ex-eThekwini mayor Zandile Gumede. “Look at the case of comrade Gumede, who we were told committed a crime and was charged, but four years later, the court had nothing that sticks on her.”
