ANC veterans call for disciplining of regional leaders

The African National Congress Veterans League (ANCVL) in Limpopo wants the Chairperson and the Secretary of Peter Mokaba Region John Mpe and Eugene Masethe to be hauled before the disciplinary committee for promoting factionalism and undermining the decisions of the National Executive Committee (NEC) and National Working Committee (NWC).
The ANCVL supports the decision by the NWC which directed that former Mayor of Vhembe District, Florence Radzilani and former ANC Provincial Treasurer, Danny Msiza should step aside from their positions in the Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) and all party activities.
This is in contrast with a media statement issued a month ago by the Regional Executive Committee (REC) of Peter Mokaba Region who wanted the reinstatement of the two comrades.
According to Jacob Marule, ANCVL Provincial Chairperson, the REC of Peter Mokaba has defied the recommendations by the Integrity Commission thus undermining a decision of the highest structure between conferences, the National Working Committee and National Executive Committee (NEC).
Speaking at the ANCVL press conference at the provincial headquarters of the party in Polokwane on Tuesday Marule said: “We want the REC of Peter Mokaba Region to be disbanded for causing divisions and disunity in the province and for undermining decisions of a higher structure the NEC, NWC and a Regional Task Team (RTT) must be put in place with immediate effect.”
He pointed out that they have been observing with great concern, the entrenchment of factionalism and ill-discipline in all regions and in particular the Peter Mokaba Region. “We have consistently and unapologetically warned that the negative cancerous affects that the disregard for the implementation of the principles and policies of the ANC will attract distance and displeasure between the organisation and the communities that we purport to serve,” Marule remarked.
He also added that as they approach the deadline for political parties to submit their lists of candidates to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), they humbly appeal to all those who have been named in forensic reports, and those who are also being alleged to be involved in corruption to withdraw their names from the ANC lists.”
“To name a few, Florence Radzilani, Jerry Maseko, Ishmael Kgetjepe, Kennedy Tshivhase, Nakedi Sibande and all those mayors who have been recalled. This gesture will not in any way suggest guilt on their part but they will be demonstrating their love and respect to the ANC and the people of South Africa,” Marule said
He stressed that corruption is a cancer that is a serious concern to their people and as long as culprits of the VBS looting and the killers of comrade TT and Mani remain free and spared from punitive procedures, the issue of VBS will remain very sore and sensitive issues to their people. “The ANCVL will fearlessly defend and protect the ANC unconditionally, this we have sworn to protect and uphold in an honest transparent and revolutionary manner, inside and outside South Africa. Furthermore, corruption, nepotism, pillaging of state resources and factionalism will be allowed to flourish in the absence of relevant and effective corrective interventions. We call upon the relevant law enforcement agencies to act speedily in bringing those who are involved in corruption to account. We need to see incarceration of those who stole from the people.”
He also said that in the spirit of the special NEC decision to dismantle and stamp out factionalism they have recommended that all factions in the Province be identified and dismantled. “We have also recommended that the Provincial Secretary of ANC should instruct all the regional and sub-regional leadership to desist from convening and leading all factional forums or face disciplinary action. Any member of the ANC who is known to be involved in factional activities must be charged and brought before the disciplinary committee for contravening the constitution of the ANC,” concluded Marule.
Chairperson of the ANC’s Peter Mokaba Region, John Mpe said ANCVL could have found a better platform to engage them on the issue than going to the media. “We are aware of their concerns. We have actually read their statement and they could have called us to engage us on the issue. There are better platforms to convene us and engage us on any issue. We are not above the ANC. We respect their profile and we are also creating our own profile,” Mpe said.
Mpe is adamant that it was not the ANCVL’s call for him and Masethe to appear before the disciplinary committee. “The Veteran’s league is captured by those who lost the ANC provincial conference. They are been abused by them. We want to congratulate them for recognising the REC of Peter Mokaba Region. We don’t think that the statement was written by them. They don’t have the energy, someone wrote the statement on their behalf,” Mpe said.

Story: Herbert Rachuene
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