ANC denies special NEC almost removed Mantashe as secretary-general
The party admits the adjournment was meant to let the National Working Committee refine the report to the NEC on the ANC Eastern Cape 8th provincial conference.
Minister of Mineral Resources Gwede Mantashe Picture: Yeshiel Panchia
The ANC has denied weekend media reports that the special NEC meeting taking place in Irene sought to remove Gwede Mantashe as secretary-general because of internal revolt from some members of the highest decision-making body.
The ANC NEC is the highest decision-making body in between national conferences in terms of the party’s constitution.
The party, however, did not deny allegations in Sunday reports that the special national executive committee (NEC) proceedings were halted on Sunday as a result of an internal revolt following secretary-general Gwede Mantashe’s political report to the gathering.
In a statement released this morning, the ruling party said it had departed from “normal procedure” and “unequivocally” dismissed claims made by “nameless and faceless sources that there are discussions under way to remove from his position the Secretary General of the ANC, Comrade Gwede Mantashe”.
“These rumours are peddled to sow confusion and division within the movement, and are indicative of the media’s laziness and total disregard for proper journalistic ethics in favor of populism and sensationalism,” party spokesperson Zizi Kodwa wrote in the statement.
Kodwa reiterated that the special NEC meeting had resumed today. He said the adjournment was to allow the National Working Committee (NWC) to refine the report to the NEC on the ANC Eastern Cape 8th provincial conference.
“The NEC will today discuss such report (sic) as well as the draft Organizational Report to be tabled at the 54th National Conference from the 16th to the 20th December 2017,” Kodwa concluded.
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