The ANC Veterans League National Task Team says if ANC members don’t tow the party line in Parliament and reject the Section 89 independent panel’s report on Phala Phala, they would be bringing uncertainty in the country.
ANC Veterans League national convener Snuki Zikalala urged ANC MPs to allow the president to continue with the process of bringing the report under review.
On Monday, Ramaphosa filed papers at the Constitutional Court to take the panel’s report that found he has a case to answer to under review. He wants the report set aside.
Speaking on Thursday, Zikalala said the Veterans League was in full support of Ramaphosa's decision.
“If members of parliament decide not to support the NEC (national executive committee) in that the comrade must take the report on review, it will destabilise the efforts of renewing the ANC and bring about uncertainty in the country.
“If they don’t recognise the president’s right to put the matter under review, it means there won’t be any rule of law in the country and it means the president will be impeached with a report not conclusive and this will disrupt the country,” he said.
Earlier on Thursday, Zikalala said the league would raise objections regarding the list of nominees to serve in the NEC.
He said the list included members who had previous criminal convictions and those currently before the party's disciplinary committee.
Zikalala said the league would not support anyone who was tainted.
Heading to conference, the league has 40 members, 25 of whom will have voting status while the 15 will have observer status, according to Zikalala.
“In nominating its preferred candidates for leadership positions in the ANC, the Veterans League was adamant that it will not support any leader who is tainted in any way. We remain convinced, more than ever, that for the ANC to renew itself and win back the confidence of the people, it needs credible leadership with a plan of action that can rekindle hope in the ANC and the country,” Zikalala said.
Zikalala said the league believed that anyone implicated in wrongdoing, either by commissions of inquiry, law enforcement agencies or the ANC’s Integrity Commission, should not stand for election.
“In this regard, the task team raised a number of serious concerns with the now published list of nominations for the ANC NEC, including the lack of representation, whether the vetting process has been concluded, and whether the names of comrades who declined nomination can be published.”
Speaking to Sowetan, Zikalala said he would raise the matter during Friday's NE C meeting, saying there were a number of ANC members who were up for positions either in the top six or as additional NEC members.
Those implicated in the commission of inquiry into state capture report include Nomvula Mokonyane, who is nominated as ANC deputy secretary-general. Others who are contesting either for top six or NEC positions include national chair Gwede Mantashe, Zizi Kodwa, Malusi Gigaba, David Mahlobo, Faith Muthambi, Thabang Makwetla and Mosebenzi Zwane.
The integrity commission had recommended that NEC member Zweli Mkhize, who is challenging Ramaphosa for the party's presidency, be suspended by the NEC because his involvement in the Digital Vibes corruption scandal was “seriously damaging the organisation”.
“These are the issues we will raise tomorrow. We’ll raise it formally because there are people mentioned in Zondo Commission report, others are facing disciplinary action and so we want to know if the Electoral Committee has done proper vetting because it was one of their criteria. We feel the criteria was not at all adhered to,” Zikalala said.
Others who made the list of nominees include former Nelson Mandela Bay councillor Andile Lungisa, who was convicted of assault and sentenced to two years in jail. Mduduzi Manana was also previously convicted of assault and paid a fine.
This means, should the Electoral Committee conclude its business, the likes of the members listed above could find themselves out in the cold if ANC resolutions are implemented to the tee.
According to the ANC’s own constitution, those guilty or convicted in law are guilty of bringing the ANC into disrepute. Rule 25.45 of the constitution also says that during the period of suspension, a member shall be precluded from exercising any right in terms of this constitution, save to prosecute his or her appeal or review application and be present at any necessary attendance in connection therewith.
The ANC’s step-aside resolution taken during the 54th national conference, bars criminally charged members from standing for election, including being nominated.
The resolution forms part of the amendments senior leaders are hoping will be included in the constitution after the December 16 conference.
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