No place for the corrupt: ANC challenges all parties to match its zero-tolerance stance
The ANC Gauteng coordinator, Hope Papo, has called on other political parties to be like the ANC, and have policies that take disciplinary action against members charged with corruption.
Speaking in Johannesburg on Thursday, Papo stressed that the political system would benefit if all parties introduced policies that discipline members formally charged with corruption—just as the ANC has done through its "step-aside" rule.
'So we encourage all political parties in South Africa to follow the ANC, we are the biggest party, we are doing it, all political parties must do,' he said.
The ANC has implemented a step-aside rule that requires members who are formally charged with corruption or other serious crimes to voluntarily withdraw from party and government activities, failing which they may face suspension.
Papo stated some of the party leaders appeared in criminal courts, but they were not charged they are still leading the organisation, while the ANC leaders were ambushed.
But he said in the ANC, stepping aside was mandatory.
Papo has echoed the party's position on renewal and rebuilding, saying this will be a way for the ANC to reclaim power.
'So, we think that through that policy, we will actually, it will help in renewing the organisation.
'Because ultimately, ANC doesn't arrest, charge, and convict people. That is why there's an issue of stepping aside from your leadership positions.
'And a number of our leaders have done so. And sometimes they would have been wrongly accused, but they would have stepped aside. And sometimes they lose leadership positions,' he said.
The provincial co-convener, Panyaza Lesufi, had previously promised to clamp down on corruption and laziness in the party.
kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za
IOL Politics
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
2 hours ago
- IOL News
EFF supporters fill Khayelitsha Stadium for 12th anniversary celebrations
Thousands of EFF supporters arriving at the celebrations at Khayelitsha Rugby Stadium. Image: Supplied: EFF Long queues stretched along Pama Road on Saturday morning as thousands of Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) supporters gathered for the party's 12th anniversary celebrations at the Khayelitsha Rugby Stadium. Although the main programme was scheduled to start at midday, enthusiastic crowds, youth, elders, and children, had already begun pouring into the venue from the early hours. A dedicated play area for children, complete with jumping castles, plastic tables and chairs, and paramedics on standby, was set up to accommodate families. Outside the stadium, community member Bathandwa Dywili said she hoped party leader Julius Malema would address pressing social challenges. 'We hope that the EFF president will address youth unemployment. Underaged drinking is another issue, young people consume a lot of alcohol,' Dywili said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading 'It would also be nice for him to address other social ills that are holding us back and lead to crime.' Some attendees had travelled long distances, not only to show support for the Red Berets but also to make a living. Banele Sindane, who journeyed from Johannesburg, was selling EFF-branded merchandise outside the venue. 'I came to Cape Town to sell branded EFF merchandise. I need to earn money for my children,' said Sindane. 'I arrived in town in the early hours of Saturday morning. I didn't just come to sell clothes, I am here as an EFF member too. It is such an honour to be at the celebrations.' By 9:30 am, performers were already on stage inside the massive dome, which has a capacity of 10,000 people. The EFF was founded on July 26, 2013, by Julius Malema, following his expulsion from the African National Congress (ANC) where he had served as the president of the ANC Youth League. After clashing with senior ANC leaders and being disciplined for sowing division and bringing the party into disrepute, Malema launched the EFF as a radical and militant economic emancipation movement. Drawing inspiration from pan-Africanist and Marxist-Leninist traditions, the EFF quickly established itself as a vocal force in South African politics, especially among disillusioned youth and working-class communities. The party entered Parliament for the first time in 2014, securing 25 seats, and has since become the country's third-largest political party. Twelve years later, the EFF's red regalia, revolutionary slogans, and combative parliamentary style remain a fixture of South African political life, and Saturday's gathering in Khayelitsha reflected the energy and loyalty that still surrounds the movement.
TimesLIVE
2 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
State's corruption case against Mabuyakhulu and others in failed jazz festival project back on the table
A bid by the state to appeal against the discharge of ANC heavyweight Mike Mabuyakhulu and others charged with corruption in relation to the failed 2012 R28.5m North Sea Jazz Festival project is back on the table. The Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) ordered the decision of KwaZulu-Natal high court judge Mahendra Chetty, dismissing the state's application for special leave to appeal, be referred to the SCA for reconsideration, and oral argument, including on the merits, if requested by the court. Mabuyakhulu — the ANC's provincial task team co-ordinator — and 15 others, including former economic development department head Desmond Golding, event organisers Ceaser Mkhize, Mabheleni Ntuli, Basil Ninela and his wife Brenda, Nothando Zungu, Ntokozo Ndlovu and Njabulo Mkhize — faced fraud, money-laundering and corruption charges relating to the festival. The state alleged the service providers were irregularly paid and the politicians received kickbacks. In May 2023, Chetty, in an application at the end of the state's case, effectively acquitted the accused without them having to put up a defence. This, he said, was because there was not a shred of evidence against them. In a 100-page ruling, which took three hours to read, Chetty went through each charge against each accused, noting the paucity of evidence against them, that in some instances the allegations were a 'stretch too far', and that a 'sniff of suspicion' was not enough in a criminal trial. In terms of law, the state can only seek to appeal against what it considers to be a misdirection by the trial court on questions of law, not questions of fact. In considering the application for leave to appeal to the SCA Chetty had ruled even if his judgment revealed he might have been mistaken in his assessment of the evidence the state could not appeal against this. He was not convinced there were reasonable prospects the SCA would find he had committed a mistake in law and it would lead to the accused in the matter being convicted. Mabuyakhulu, who was economic development and tourism MEC at the time, was charged with taking a bribe of R300,000 in return for the award of the contract to what became a joint venture. Chetty's ruling came after their lawyers applied for their discharge, in terms of section 174 of the Criminal Procedure Act, without having to put up a defence. This is done at the discretion of the judge at the close of the state's case in circumstances where the state has failed to prove its case and cannot secure a conviction without the accused having to testify and possibly incriminate themselves. On Friday, Natasha Ramkisson-Kara, KwaZulu-Natal NPA spokesperson said: 'The NPA welcomes the opportunity to argue its case before the SCA that the honourable judge Mahendra Chetty erred in law in discharging the accused, that there are reasonable prospects of success on appeal, and that there are compelling reasons for the appeal to be heard by the SCA. Prosecutors will continue to vigorously challenge any decision considered to be wrong in law using available legal remedies.'
The Herald
4 hours ago
- The Herald
KZN ANC branch rallies behind Mchunu ahead of commission of inquiry
An ANC ward in Vryheid under the Mzala Nxumalo region in the north of KwaZulu-Natal has rallied behind embattled police minister Senzo Mchunu. Mchunu was placed on special leave by President Cyril Ramaphosa after explosive corruption allegations made against him by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lt-Gen Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. ANC's ward 23 treasurer Lindokuhle Xulu said they fully support Mchunu because he respected all processes including the establishment of a commission of inquiry to investigate allegations against him. 'Mchunu has shown discipline as a seasoned comrade. We respect him for displaying such ethical behaviour as a leader. We also support him for always being loyal to the ANC values which bind us as comrades to be always disciplined,' said Xulu. The branch presented Mchunu with sheep when he was in the area during an ANC campaign for a by-election held recently. That by-election was won by the IFP. The commission that will probe allegations against Mchunu will be chaired by acting deputy chief justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga. A source close to Mchunu alleged he was being attacked by comrades who want to disrupt his campaign ahead of the party's national elective conference in 2027. Some party insiders said Mchunu wants to be the next ANC president. TimesLIVE
