MARIUS FRANSMAN is out again.
Yesterday, ANC national spokesperson Zizi Kodwa said Fransman was not yet in the clear and could not return to his duties.
This was in stark contrast to national executive committee member Nomvula Mokonyane's announcement on Thursday that the provincial leader was free to resume his duties.
A jubilant Fransman hit the campaign trail with president Jacob Zuma in Cape Town on Thursday, announcing on Facebook he was back from what he referred to as a "voluntary stepping aside".
Fransman was asked to “step aside” in February over a criminal complaint (from 21-year-old Stellenbosch woman Louisa Wynand) that he had sexually harassed her while they were travelling in a car to the ANC's birthday celebrations in Rustenburg.
On Saturday, Fransman released a statement saying he “welcomed the acknowledgement” by the party that he had resumed his official duties.
Mokonyane’s statement was in contrast to a statement by the party's national working committee that it had received a report from the integrity committee, which had weighed up the case against Fransman.
A leaked report from the committee suggested that Fransman resign his elected leadership positions, and not be eligible to be elected to any position for the next two years.
While the recommendations were never made public, the national working committee referred the integrity committee's report to the party's national disciplinary committee.
But ANC national disciplinary committee chairperson Derek Hanekom said yesterday charges against Fransman had not yet been referred to the committee.
“Fransman has not yet been charged,” said Hanekom.
At the weekend, Fransman released a statement on his Facebook page and referred to the contrary statements from the ANC.
“There is no confusion: I am the Western Cape ANC leader. I have never ceased to be the Western Cape ANC leader since my election to the office. I have voluntarily stepped aside."