Polokwane - The ANC has expelled 22 of its councillors from the Mogalakwena municipality in Limpopo, the party said on Tuesday.
Members of the provincial disciplinary committee (PDC) made the decision to expel the group on Sunday following disciplinary hearings held in June, Limpopo PDC chairwoman Dorah Maraba said in a statement.
The group, which had been on suspension, failed to attend the disciplinary hearing.
The councillors were suspended following reports that they had attended a council meeting with opposition parties in April, where discussions around removing the mayor, chief whip and some members of the executive committee were held.
A month earlier, the ANC in Limpopo had placed the municipality under administration.
Following the suspension, the group was told not to attend any party meetings or represent the party at any events.
Maraba said the PDC on Sunday found them guilty of undermining the party and showing no remorse for it.
“They defiantly attend council meetings of Mogalakwena local municipality as councillors despite being directed to resign their positions and being suspended as ANC members,” Maraba said.
She said the group deliberately continued to embarrass the party and collaborated with counter-revolutionary forces.
“They wilfully brought the ANC into disrepute,” she said, adding that the group had refused to subject themselves to organisational discipline by common purpose.
The 22 were informed of their immediate expulsion in writing.
Maraba said they could appeal the matter.
“However, the appeal process should be done whilst the expelled members are not within the structures of the ANC and that of the... municipality,” she said.
Sapa