ANC to punish three MPs who supported the motion of no confidence
About 26 ANC MPs voted with opposition parties. however, Mantashe says they will not go on a "witch hunt" to root out the MPs who voted against the president.
At least three ANC Members of Parliament will be disciplined by the party in connection with the failed motion of no confidence in President Jacob Zuma.
According to a report on Tuesday after the party’s National Working Committee meeting, ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe said the party would not go on a “witch hunt” to root out those who voted against the president.
But, Mantashe said the ANC would deal with the three MPs who publicly said they would vote with their conscience. Numerous ANC MPs said they would do what is right, including former finance minister Pravin Gordhan, former Tourism minister Derek Hanekom, and ANC MPs Makhosi Khoza and Mondli Gungubele.
Mantashe was quoted saying “we’ll have to deal with that,” Mantashe told journalist at Luthuli House.
“If you voted for no confidence and kept quiet, you won’t be hunted. But if you flaunt it, you’re undermining the organisation.”
The secretary-general added that the ANC’s constitution does allow it to discipline these MPs.
President Jacob Zuma told an ANC Youth League gathering in KwaZulu-Natal last weekend that he wants those MPs to be punished.
Mantashe addressed Hanekom’s stance on ANC matters on Twitter, saying the former minister has compromised himself as chairperson of the party’s disciplinary committee as he was tweeting about matters that are before him.
The secretary-general also made mention of the uproar around deputy Minister of Higher Education, Mduduzu Manana, who is facing charges of assault after beating up a woman in a night club.
Mantashe said because Manana does not serve on any ANC structure he could be asked to step aside from and that the party’s only option would be disciplinary action.
