By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The African National Congress (ANC) has disqualified its prominent senior member Tony Yengeni from contesting for any NEC positions in the upcoming elective conference.
The party will hold its 55th National Congress next weekend at Nasrec, Johannesburg.
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 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.
“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.
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.