Former tourism minister Derek Hanekom has become the latest ANC MP to face the firing line of the party for speaking out against President Jacob Zuma during the motion of no confidence in him.
The ANC has asked Hanekom to give reasons within 10 days over why he should not be removed as chairperson of the National Disciplinary Committee (NDC).
Yesterday Hanekom declined to comment and said he will not discuss the matter.
ANC spokesperson Zizi Kodwa could not be reached for comment.
This followed the leaking of a letter from ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe on why Hanekom should not be removed from his position within 10 days.
Hanekom became the second senior ANC MP to be in the firing line of the party after Makhosi Khoza was removed as chairperson of the portfolio committee on public service and administration last week.
In the letter from Mantashe, the party demands answers from Hanekom on his comments before the motion of no confidence.
Mantashe said Hanekom had served well as NDC chairperson in his second term since the Mangaung conference in 2012.
“However, immediately prior to the vote of no confidence debate in Parliament on August 8, your public utterances detracted from the degree of independence expected of you,” wrote Mantashe.
“As a consequence, the independence and integrity of the office of the NDC has been placed in jeopardy and could legitimately be questioned by comrades who appear before this body in the future.
“The overall impact is that the disciplinary machinery of the ANC, of which the NDC is an integral part, could be prejudiced by your continued presence as the chairperson and as a member of the structure,” he said.
Khoza spoke out against the latest action on Hanekom and said this was an attempt to muzzle anti-Zuma people in the ANC.
She said the ANC was targeting Hanekom so that when she appeals against her sanction from KwaZulu-Natal he will no longer be there as chairman of the NDC. Khoza said the ANC was breaking institutions.
“Society should be looking at the attack on me, the attack on Hanekom, as actually flying against the discipline of the ANC. There was nothing inconsistent with Hanekom as chairperson of the disciplinary committee. He respects the integrity of the committee by virtue,” said Khoza.
“Why should he be punished for speaking the truth? The ANC is saying rather do things in the dark than in open light. For me, there is a problem there.
"You are actually saying we must not be transparent and open to our voters, who gave us a mandate. What’s wrong with saying this is how I’m going to vote. I think it’s a tragedy and miscarriage of justice,” she said.
She said the ANC was besmirching its 105-year history and there was nothing to celebrate.
“(This) strengthens my resolve to fight on; even if I’m kicked out, so be it. They are trying to remove him quickly so that 10 September, KZN DC... if not happy with ruling... or unhappy with processes followed, or not given fair hearing...
"I have a right to appeal to a higher structure... the NDC. It’s Derek Hanekom who chairs it.
"No, they want to remove Hanekom as soon as possible, so that when I appeal to national, they will concur with the lower structure (KZN),” said Khoza.