ANC’s Andile Lungisa ordered to step down, Zuma called to order – report

The African National Congress’ (ANC) top six leaders have reportedly called President Jacob Zuma to order following his public endorsement of Andile Lungisa as the party’s chairperson in Nelson Mandela Bay.

The Mail & Guardian reports that ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe said the ruling party’s top brass had this week decided that Lungisa should be removed as the newly-elected regional chair of the metro because his election was in breach of the party’s constitution.

Mantashe had warned Lungisa that it was against the ANC’s constitution to contest elections on a lower structure while serving on a higher structure. Lungisa also serves as a member of the ANC Eastern Cape provincial executive committee.

Last Sunday, Zuma attended the regional conference in Port Elizabeth and gave his backing Lungisa after his election to the post‚ saying the ancestors supported his election, and he had made him proud.

Making eye contact with Lungisa, Zuma said the party looked at “quality, energy, and consistency” when electing leaders.

“In other words we choose the leader because we can explain why. A leader we can say is going to make us deliver on our programmes and policies. If the majority has spoken, it has spoken.

“Ours is to respect that decision and take it as our own for the health of the organisation. We are in trying times as the organisation that must be clear to us,” Zuma told the gathering of delegates.

This week, Lungisa apologised to Mantashe for the “thoughtless remarks” he made about him after he attacked the secretary-general for his warnings about the party’s rules, but Mantashe would have none of it.

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