The ANC’s head of organising, Nomvula Mokonyane, will not let corruption allegations block her bid to contest for a top six position at the party’s national conference in December.
Mokonyane is being touted for the deputy secretary-general (DSG) position, having been nominated by her home province Gauteng, and Limpopo.
In a joint statement on Thursday, the Gauteng and Limpopo provincial executive committees announced they would back Mokonyane for the DSG position.
The Commission of Inquiry into State Capture report recommended she be investigated with a possibility of prosecution for allegations of corruption. The report found there was sufficient evidence that during her tenure as Gauteng premier she allegedly received gratification from Bosasa.
Mokonyane said she was not the only person contesting for an ANC leadership position at the conference in December facing allegations of any nature.
Her view is that even President Cyril Ramaphosa heads to Nasrec with the Phala Phala farm scandal hanging over his head.
“The ANC is not short of its own cadres who can do this job. I’ve not been convicted of anything where I am and so far. It was out of my own volition that I decided not to go to any public office.
“We’re going to this conference with issues said against many people, including the president. We must allow processes to unfold. There are rules of the ANC which I’ve not violated. I’ve never been a darling of media space. I’m a product of humiliation and condemnation but I’m a product of the masses,” Mokonyane said.
Others implicated in the state capture report who are expected to contest either for top six or national executive committee positions include national chair Gwede Mantashe, Zizi Kodwa, Malusi Gigaba, David Mahlobo, Faith Muthambi, Thabang Makwetla and Mosebenzi Zwane.
ANC NEC member Zweli Mkhize, who is contesting for the presidency, is also facing allegations of corruption in relation to the Digital Vibes scandal and finance minister Enoch Godongwana is facing allegations of sexual assault.
The ANC’s rules state that members who are criminally charged are barred from participating in party activities. This bars them from being nominated or contesting for positions.
Those who have been affected by this rule include suspended ANC SG Ace Magashule and former eThekwini mayor Zandile Gumede, who couldn’t contest during KwaZulu-Natal’s provincial conference.
On her possible nomination, Mokonyane said if nominated, she would avail herself as she has done so in the past when the branches nominated her.
“We serve at the behest of the members of ANC. We’re aware there’s been engagement between provinces and now regions. Contest depends on nomination from branches. I appreciate processes of engagements from leaders of the different provinces and my name has been raised. I am humbled by that. I’ll await a process in line with ANC process where I’ll accept the nomination of DSG or any other role.”
Mokonyane said the question of deputising women is something she had personally raised when she was approached by members of the party.
“Even with those that approached me I raised the question of deputising [women] and out of engagement, I gave consideration. I still think there is another woman out there who could be president, SG or even TG [treasurer general].
“In this conference, we need to affirm the constitutional issues... we can’t forever have DSGs that do not have defined tasks. One of the constitutional amendments we’re going to discuss is to decide on the role of the DSG so that it’s not just deputising the SG... the debate must reach that space. What’s the role of a deputy in ANC... should we wait until chair has lost its voice then deputy came about?”
She mentioned the likes of Thandi Modise and Jessie Duarte, who previously served as DSGs, saying they at times were seen as threats due to their smart and strong convictions, adding the ANC was not short of capable women.
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