Lawyers may soon be banned from ANC disciplinary hearings because they can make it “extraordinarily difficult to bring errant members into line”, The Witness reported on Wednesday.
“The use of lawyers in disciplinary cases should be reviewed to ensure that the organisation does not end up in a situation where it is extraordinarily difficult to bring errant members into line.
“Otherwise, those with resources can get away with blatant transgressions and be above the organisation,” a section of the ANC’s policy discussion document on organisational renewal says.
The document was released in Joburg on Tuesday. It is one of a series of documents set to be discussed at the party’s policy conference in Midrand in June.
The document was released on the same week of ANC Youth League leader Julius Malema’s appeal against his expulsion from the party. The hearing is set for Thursday before the party’s national disciplinary committee of appeal.
Malema has employed two senior counsel for his hearing - advocates Dali Mpofu and Patrick Mtshaulana. - Sapa