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Tony Yengeni barred from NEC nominations over fraud conviction

African National Congress (ANC) member Tony Yengeni has been served with a letter disqualifying him from contesting any National Executive Committee (NEC) position due to his fraud conviction.

Vetting process

The chairperson of the ANC’s electoral committee, Kgalema Motlanthe sent the letter to Yengeni on Friday, informing him that he will not be eligible for any position at the party’s 55th elective conference, kick-starting next weekend after a vetting process.

This after the ruling party during its 54th elective conference in 2017 declared members who were convicted of serious crimes could not stand for high positions.

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“The vetting information at our disposal reveals that you have a historical record of being found guilty of a serious crime in court of law for which the prison sentence had been more than six months.

“To be specific, you are summarily disqualified as a candidate for all NEC positions including additional members during the 55th national conference as per following the rules which have been approved by the NEC,” said Motlanthe in the letter.

In 2003, the former ANC Chief Whip was found guilty of fraud after he was linked to a corruption investigation into an arms deal.

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ALSO READ: Bathabile Dlamini ‘intends’ to take legal action against ANC over NEC position snub

Bathabile Dlamini snubbed

All the electoral committee members who were convicted of unethical, immoral conduct and those whose cases are still being heard or where a judgement or sentence is being appealed are barred from any position at the conference.

This comes after Motlanthe also served former ANC women’s league chairperson, Bathabile Dlamini the same letter on Thursday disqualifying her from being a candidate after she was convicted of perjury in March.

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Dlamini was accused of having lied under oath while giving her testimony during an inquiry instituted by the Constitutional Court in 2018. She was handed over four-year suspended sentence and a fine of R200 000.

The former minister of Social Development, has since taken the legal route against the electoral committee for her disqualification.

NOW READ: Phala Phala: Will ANC NEC change its mind in backing Ramaphosa?

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By Kgomotso Phooko