Despite multiple investigations into alleged money laundering involving President Cyril Ramaphosa, leaders at the ANC’s Policy Conference have chosen not to discuss the matter.
Briefing the media at the Nasrec Expo Centre Paul Mashatile said the matter concerning millions of dollars stolen at the president’s Phala Phala farm had been dealt with by the party’s Integrity Committee.
He said law enforcement was also dealing with the matter.
Mashatile confirmed that the president had presented himself in front of the Integrity Committee at least twice.
“Was there a discussion about the president? The answer is no because we agreed that the president was going to appear in front of the integrity Committee,” Mashatile said.
Mashatile said the step-aside issue had been discussed in commissions.
He said the report he had been given was that the discussions were cordial.
Mashatile said delegates had been advised to look outwardly and reflect on the struggles of ordinary South Africans at this year’s policy conference.
He said there was also a proposal to have an appeals process that functions when a leader has been asked to step aside.
“If you waste your time talking about step aside it’s like you are inward looking,” Mashatile said.
Meanwhile, Mashatile admitted that the ANC’s membership figures had decreased.
He said at some point the party was bragging about having a million members in its ranks but not all members were quality cadres.
“The president said the ANC is at its weakest point, yes that’s true we are not as strong as we used to be and there are many reasons for that. The ANC attracted many bad people,” Mashatile said.
A few weeks ago EFF leader Julius Malema said he had been told that Ramaphosa was considering resigning as the president of the country because he had no moral defence concerning the Phala Phala matter.