By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The African National Congress (ANC) Secretary General Fikile Mbalula says the National Executive Committee (NEC) has resolved to establish a standing committee to investigate leaks within its ranks to the media.
Mbalula addressed the media regarding the outcomes of the ANC’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting held on Tuesday at Luthuli House in Johannesburg.
He explained that this permanent committee would conduct forensic audits of information leaks by NEC and National Working Committee (NWC) members involving internal decisions and discussions.
“In most instances, these decisions and discussions are distorted,” he said, adding that the ANC had an “obligation and a responsibility” to defend itself against, what he termed, “distortions from faceless sources”.
Mbalula explained that in investigating the leaks the party was defending its integrity.
This committee will be implemented to defend equally the integrity of the ANC information, because the ANC speaks for itself and it does not speak through third parties,” he said.
The committee will be composed of ANC members.
“It is wrong for a faceless source, constipated with factionalism… to distort the ANC, at the highest level of the NEC. The ANC’s integrity in terms of communication is undermined by faceless sources, who have got no shame of themselves, and they are standing in the organisation. We cannot blame the media for working with faceless sources,” he said.
He stated that members of the ANC must “self-respect”.
The NEC also decided that members should not engage in leadership contestation, lobbying, or self-promotion for any position in the lead-up to the 2027 National Conference, except within the period to be determined and announced by the secretary-general.
“The NEC was firm that the ANC must not be drawn into premature leadership discussions, “Mbalula said on Tuesday.
He explained that the ANC wants to prevent escalating the succession debate within the party, following Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s comments in an interview expressing his willingness to accept nominations from branches to succeed President Cyril Ramaphosa.
“In terms of the ANC rules now, we don’t want that. No leader should be answering such questions,” the ANC secretary-general said.
He acknowledged that Mashatile made his remarks prior to the NEC resolution.
Mbalula said the party, should prioritise winning the 2026 local government elections and implementing a program of action to rebuild the party.
Meanwhile, the NEC noted a decline in party membership, highlighting that the renewal programme aimed to ensure that the ANC “purges and strengthens itself” to attract the best members.
Mbalula explained that the NEC reaffirmed its commitment to building authentic branches dedicated to National Democratic Revolution, rejecting transnationalism and the culture of buying membership and placing self-interest above the organisation.