By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
ANC Ekurhuleni regional chairperson Mzwandile Masina will face disciplinary action for the decision to bring a motion of no confidence in Ekurhuleni mayor Tania Campbell.
Masina went ahead with the motion of no confidence despite warning from the Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) telling him it was negotiating a deal with the EFF.
The deal between the EFF and the ANC was to take power from the Democratic Alliance and its coalition partners in Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni, Tshwane and Mogale City.
Although the motion of no confidence in was successful last month, the PEC apparently wanted the Ekurhuleni regional executive committee to withdraw the motion due to what happened in the City of Johannesburg when the DA’s Mpho Phalatse was removed from office as mayor through a motion of no confidence and later reinstated by a high court ruling.
ANC provincial secretary TK Nciza during a media briefing said they have taken a decision to take action against Masina.
“Despite the efforts of the PEC to drive the coalition discussions in a uniform manner, these efforts have been heavily weakened by the spontaneous decision of the leadership of Ekurhuleni to raise a motion of no confidence outside the normal coalition talks led by the PEC.
The negotiating team extensively advised Ekurhuleni on the existing discussions led by the PEC and further advised against the motion of no confidence.
“The ANC PEC has taken a firm stance to discipline anyone who would be found to be instrumental in the ill-discipline that took place in the negotiating period which sought to undermine the work done by the provincial team led by the PEC and the national executive committee.
The PEC felt that the Chairperson off Ekuruleni has brought the ANC into disrepute.
Gauteng ANC chairperson Panyaza Lesufi said the PEC met on Wednesday with the outcome being that Masina brought the party into disrepute.
“In the PEC meeting there was unfortunately a debate in another forum. We weren’t part of the debate and the PEC felt that conduct was not acceptable and within that context we requested the PWC which is the committee empowered to deal with disciplinary matters to look into this,” Lesufi said.
He faces possible suspension but the decision lies with the provincial working committee (PWC).
Campbell returned as Ekurhuleni mayor after the EFF and the ANC failed to reach a coalition agreement.
Meanwhile the ANC has “clarified confusion” that it will charge a media fee to cover its Nasrec December conference.
On Thursday, the party’s treasurer-general, Paul Mashatile, said the party “regrets any confusion caused and wish to clarify the organisation’s position on this matter”.
“We have no intention to charge a fee for media coverage of the conference. We intend to approach media coverage of the conference as we have done in the past. The ANC will continue engaging with the media as we build up toward the conference. We endeavour to resolve any challenges that may arise as best as we can.”
The statement comes as the SA National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) planned to meet with the ruling party regarding its plans to charge media houses for coverage space.