By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The African National Congress (ANC) secretary-general Fikile Mbalula says the party wants its members facing corruption charges “to be given an opportunity to go to court and clear their names”.
Mbalula was speaking at an ANC gathering in Johannesburg to commemorate the life of an ANC stalwart Albertina Nontsikelelo Sisulu in Johannesburg on Monday.
Mbalula led a series of events to honour the life and legacy of struggle stalwart Sisulu.
The day’s activities includes a wreath-laying ceremony at Croesus Cemetery in southern Johannesburg this morning.
At noon, a clean-up and food security campaign will take place at the Albertina Sisulu School, as well as at a clinic and hospital in Soweto.
Mbalula has confirmed the party’ National Executive Committee (NEC) will meet at the end of this week to finalise outstanding cases before its integrity commission
“This National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting will focus on two things. The first issue will be to finalise the terms of reference of the integrity commission and to finalise all the outstanding cases of integrity that were presented in front of the National Executive Committee (NEC).”
He said this move was essential to the rebuilding and renewal of the party.
“Gone are the days where the ANC will be complicit, ambiguous about the fight against corruption.”
Mbalula also said the introduction of the controversial step-aside rule was another indicator that the party was serious about dealing with corruption.
“Today many of our comrades when arrested are required by the law to step aside. Renewal is painful like that.”
He says party members who have been arrested and charged should clear their names in the courts for the sake of the organisation.
He added the NEC will also deal with a diagnostic report on the state of the ANC.
“In the elections, we said we suffered a strategic setback for the first time the ANC dropped below 50%. We will examine the state of the organisation.”
Mbalula said the ANC will continue to consolidate the gains of three decades of freedom and democracy.
“Today as we face challenges as the ANC and the country, it is important that we pause and reflect on this profoundly inspirational life from the humble beginnings of Tsomo in the Eastern Cape,” he said.
“In her name, we will tell no lies and claim no easy victories. We will only submit to the truth about national transformation while admitting our failings — equally determined to correct our missteps and accelerate the delivery of services to our people to ensure a better life for all becomes a lived reality.”
Mbalula said the liberation movement has transformed South Africa from an economy that was designed to cater for a minority. However, he conceded the pressing challenges of poverty, unemployment and inequality required the ANC to find new ways to drive transformation and reignite the people.
“We must double our efforts and exercise our determination against corruption and malfeasance in all its manifestations. We continue to make strides towards rebuilding and renewal of the ANC into the glorious movement of integrity that was synonymous with the generation of Mama Sisulu.”
The party remembered Sisulu as one of the towering giants that were the embodiment of the historic values of the ANC.
“We are here to recall the inspirational life around whom generations of cadres could associate as their own. Mama Sisulu belonged to a generation whose mantra was freedom in our lifetime, freedom or death. She belonged to a generation of freedom fighters whose goal was to see the freedom and socioeconomic upliftment of the masses.”
Mbalula said Sisulu’s humility underpinned the simple-mindedness to serve her people even in the face of danger to her person and her family. “As a result, she endured a life without her husband Walter Sisulu, who with other Rivonia trialists were given life sentences and subjected to the harsh conditions of prison.”
The day will conclude with a memorial lecture, focusing on Sisulu’s contributions to nursing, activism, and leadership within the ANC Women’s League.
President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to deliver a memorial lecture later today at Uncle Tom’s Hall in Orlando West.