KZN ANC marchers disciplined

Published Mar 29, 2016

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Durban - Four ANC members have been charged for bringing the ruling party into disrepute by playing leading roles in marching against the executive committee, led by KwaZulu-Natal provincial party chairman Sihle Zikalala.

Disciplinary action has been instituted against the disgruntled members who marched to the provincial offices last November.

Only eThekwini councillors, Sthenjwa Nyawose and Sibongiseni Mkhize, appeared before the hearings chaired by Sinegugu Simelane-Zulu on Sunday.

Nada Ngcobo and Simphiwe Zondo reportedly did not attend the disciplinary hearings, which were postponed until April 17.

The Daily News understands that Nyawose and Mkhize asked for further particulars of the charges and requested an opportunity to seek representation.

When the pair made their appearance at the provincial offices, about 300 people reportedly pledged them solidarity.

Provincial secretary Super Zuma confirmed the disciplinary hearings, which he said started on Sunday.

He would not disclose how many people were charged, but he indicated that “there are still investigations going on”.

Zuma also said the charges were based on the conduct of the individuals.

“We have been consistent as the ANC to say comrades who have concerns should raise them internally. If you have a concern and then do not follow organisational policy, you will be subjected to a disciplinary hearing. This is what we did,” Zuma said.

Nyawose confirmed he had been charged and referred questions to the ANC.

Mkhize said: “ANC matters are discussed internally. I have no mandate to speak on the matter.”

Zondo and Ngcobo could not be reached for comment.

Provincial spokesman, Mdumiseni Ntuli, did not know the outcome of the Sunday hearings. He said he was unable to reach Simelane-Zulu.

Ntuli said the provincial disciplinary committee had over “the few days” considered hearings against several members. “There are many cases we inherited from the then PEC (provincial executive committee).”

Some related to the march by a faction linked to Zikalala and eThekwini regional chairwoman, Zandile Gumede, when they protested against election of leadership led by James Nxumalo early last year.

It could not be ascertained if any members have been officially charged yet for this march. However, the charges against Nyawose and others take place while an appeal to Luthuli House has yet to be finalised despite claims by some that it had been resolved.

National spokesman, Zizi Kodwa, told the Daily News a report was still awaited from the team of national executive committee members dealing with the matter. Sources said the disciplinary hearings were questionable because the existing leadership authority was challenged.

“What we did was to challenge their being in office. We challenged the process that led them to being in office.”

The source said the hearings could threaten the ANC election campaign. “You can’t charge people in election time. You are collapsing the election machinery,” the source said.

While Zuma would not comment on the awaited appeal, he insisted that the disciplinary hearings were based on individual conduct of members.

“If you join the ANC, you join voluntarily as a member, so we deal with conduct of a member in line with the organisation’s constitution.”

Political analyst, Thabani Khumalo, said the timing of the hearings was risky and could plunge the ANC into deeper crisis. “On the ground people had complained. They sent complaints to the structure at a higher level and no response has been received yet,” Khumalo said.

“There are divisions in the branches. The new leadership has a cloud over its head. They should have managed it differently,” he added.

Daily News

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