By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The African National Congress (ANC) is proposing changes to its constitution to allow it to expel members found guilty of serious crimes to increase accountability within its structures.
The party’s national working committee wants those convicted of serious crimes to be expelled from the party automatically once found guilty of criminal offences. These include murder, rape, sexual assault, serious violence, drug trafficking, money laundering or racketeering, and gang violence.
The document, which has been seen by Fullview has been released to regional and provincial secretaries so that amendments can be discussed at the national conference in December.
The step-aside guidelines, like the Integrity Committee, are ANC national conference resolutions which were never formally added to the party’s constitution.
“Any failure to comply with this rule in any manner whatsoever or any failure to comply with any terms and conditions set in terms of this rule, constitutes an act of misconduct in terms of Rule 24.18.1 and upon conviction leads to automatic expulsion,” the document reads.
The amendment sets out that anyone who is convicted in a court of law of any offence pending the finalisation of any appeal or review or any other court proceeding or any disciplinary proceedings in the organisation, should step side. The rule will apply to those who are indicted to appear in court on any charge. The party’s secretary-general will then be given a directive by the relevant bodies to send an official letter requesting that the member step aside within a specified time or immediately face temporary suspension.
The move comes as the governing party since the end of White-minority rule in 1994 works to revamp its image to retain the support of disgruntled voters. Some of the party’s top leaders face criminal charges before the courts, while a lack of basic services and high unemployment are further marks against its record ahead of the next national election in 2024.
Former President Jacob Zuma has spent many years defending himself against allegations he took bribes in relation to a weapons tender in the 1990s. He has denied any wrongdoing and appealed all rulings against him.
The party’s suspended Secretary-General Ace Magashule is fending off money laundering charges and President Cyril Ramaphosa is currently embroiled in a scandal that has weakened him politically, following allegations he concealed the theft of cash at his private game farm. Ramaphosa has denied any wrongdoing.
Changes to the ANC’s constitution will require support from two-thirds of delegates at it’s elective conference in December, at which Ramaphosa is expected to stand for re-election.