Durban - The ANC needs to come clean with the public on its step-aside policy and explain that it needs refining for it to serve its intended purpose.
This is the view of academic and political analyst Professor Bheki Mngomezulu following calls by ANC members for the resolution to be reviewed.
Mngomezulu said such a move would not harm the ANC’s image, and may in fact demonstrate commitment to fighting fraud and corruption.
He was reacting to the resolution taken by the ANC KwaZulu-Natal conference that the policy in its current form should be scrapped.
According to newly elected provincial secretary Bheki Mtolo, the conference had approved the move to do away with the policy, which it contended was not being applied evenly.
“The conference noted the urgency to review the implementation of the step-aside resolution in order to position the organisation on a trajectory for unity and renewal,” said Mtolo. He observed that the policy appeared to be selectively applied, adding that this needed to be attended to swiftly.
Mngomezulu from the University of the Western Cape said the policy in its current form was not applicable, as it was subject to different interpretations and needed refining.
“What is important is for the ANC to be upfront with the people and tell them that while this is a party policy, there are challenges in its interpretation and application. Then people will understand,” said Mngomezulu.
“Two years ago my observation was that the policy needed to be put on ice and refined so that it is in line with the country’s Constitution,” Mngomezulu said. The refining of the policy, Mngomezulu said, had become more critical after President Cyril Ramaphosa had become embroiled in the Phala Phala farm scandal.
Another political analyst, Zakhele Ndlovu from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, said scrapping the policy would be met with resistance from governing party members in some provinces.
“So the move will be welcomed in provinces such as the Free State, where suspended party secretary-general Ace Magashule comes from, but you will find that in Gauteng and other provinces the scrapping will not be approved.”
He said most people who voted for the ANC were concerned about its ability to deliver services, and not so much about its image.
If the resolution is approved at the National Policy Conference this month, it will be taken to the ANC’s highest decision-making body, which is the National Elective Conference in December, for approval.