By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The ANC’s national working committee (NWC) this week adopted a proposal to include non-members of the national executive committee (NEC) as members of the disciplinary sub-committees, a move seen by insiders as a consolidation of power by the Cyril Ramaphosa-aligned faction.
City Press has reported that the ANC’s sub-committees could be packed with Ramaphosa’s allies, while his detractors are being kicked out as the president seeks a second term.
According to the publication, ANC officials, who are not members of the party’s national executive committee (NEC), may be part of the disciplinary sub-committees in a move that is seen to be driven by Ramaphosa’s faction.
The move comes after the ANC’s national working committee (NWC) adopted the proposal this week, and the changes could see some big changes to the party’s sub-committees, particularly to the national disciplinary committee (NDC) and the national disciplinary committee of appeals (NDCA).
With an NEC meeting scheduled for later in March, the highest decision-making committee is expected to finalise the proposed changes.
Former State Security Minister Bongani Bongo, former Finance Minister Tito Mboweni, and Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa are among the notable names that will be booted from the NDC.
Former Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant, who is the current head of the NDC, will also exit the disciplinary committee.
While the NDC has been labelled as ineffective, the committee’s minutes – between 2014 and 2021 – has revealed that the disciplinary body met 26 times in the eight-year period to deliberate on cases against party members.
Former State Security Minister Siyabonga Cwele, former Water and Environmental Affairs Deputy Minister Rejoice Mabudafhasi, former Health Minister Zweli Mkhize and Justice and Correctional Services Minister Ronald Lamola are set to be removed from the NDCA.
Lamola is expected to take over as chairperson of the legal and constitutional affairs sub-committee from Mkhize.
Former Water and Sanitation Minister Nomvula Mokonyane, who is the head of the NDCA, will also receive the boot, however, Public Enterprises Deputy Minister Phumulo Masualle and former Northern Cape premier Sylvia Lucas will retain their position within the committee.
The ANC’s disciplinary structures were previously accused of being selective after it resolved to implement the party’s Nasrec conference resolution in March 2021.
The resolution forced all members facing serious criminal charges to step aside within 30 days or face disciplinary action, but some members argued that these disciplinary measures were applied selectively and along factional lines to purge opponents.
Now with the potential changes to the disciplinary sub-committees in places, an NEC member said it was “rubbish” to accuse Ramaphosa of trying to capture the ANC’s most strategic committees.
Meanwhile Former Mineral Resources and Energy Minister, Jeff Radebe, has been backed for the ANC deputy president position ahead of the governing party’s 55th ANC national elective conference in December this year.
Radebe is expected to have a lot on his plate ahead of the December conference as he will lead a task team within the ANC that will deal with the the Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture’s reports.
The task team will guide the ANC’s response to the report and recommendations regarding its members.
ANC deputy president David Mabuza indicated last September that he will run again for the position, but reiterated that he would not do so without the party’s blessing.
Other names that were receiving attention among party structures and on social media debates were those of Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Dr Naledi Pandor, Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation Nkhensani Kubayi-Ngubane, Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe and Eastern Cape premier Oscar Mabuyane.