By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
African National Congress (ANC) National Executive Committee (NEC) Lindiwe Sisulu has been summoned to appear before the party’s Integrity Commission.
This follows Sisulu’s opinion piece criticising the country’s judiciary and Constitution.
Sisulu will also need to provide an explanation regarding her public disagreement with the Presidency.
According to the Presidency, Sisulu had retracted her criticism of the judiciary and African judges, in particular, conceding that her comments were “inappropriate, unsubstantiated, gratuitous and deeply hurtful”.
In a surprise move, Sisulu distanced herself from the statement, saying “under no circumstances did I commit to any retraction or apology, since I stand by what I penned”.
The Presidency said it stood by its statement, despite Sisulu effectively saying President Cyril Ramaphosa was lying by claiming she had apologised and retracted her remarks about the judiciary.
Sisulu came under fire at the party’s national executive committee (NEC) meeting in January, where ANC stalwart Derek Hanekom was said to have led the charge for her to appear before the intergrity commission for her comments and for implying Ramaphosa had lied about the outcome of their meeting.
ANC treasurer-general Paul Mashatile confirmed Sisulu will appear before the commission.
Mashatile said the ANC top six met Sisulu this week where it was agreed she should explain herself to ANC Deputy President David Mabuza.
“Sisulu explained to the leadership of the ANC what was happening. We had engagements with her and we want to keep it that way. We have asked her to see the deputy president. There are certain things she will explain to him and they will report to us,” Mashatile said.
It remains to be seen whether the ANC will discipline Sisulu on the matter or not.