The ANC in Mangaung has expelled eight party members with immediate effect.
The decision to expel the members follows the election of DA councillor Maryke Davies on Wednesday as Speaker of the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality.
The party believes Davies was elected with the help of 11 ANC councillors.
“Nobody is bigger than the ANC,” the party said.
It said the decision to expel eight members with immediate effect “has concurrence of the PEC as per Rule 25.10 and the verdict of the Regional Committee taken on or about July 2022 which were duly communicated to the PEC.
Following members were expelled with immediate effect;
- Former deputy executive mayor Mapaseka Mothibi-Nkoane.
- Former speaker Stephanie Lockman-Naidoo (PR- Resigned).
- PR Councillor Patrick Monyakoane.
- PR Councillor Puseletso Seleke.
- Ward Councillor Chabeli Rampai.
- Ward Councillor Mpho Mokoakoa.
- Ward Councillor Lehlohonolo Moqolo.
- Ward Councillor Lelala Makoa.
As per the ANC constitution rule 25.35 these expelled individuals have a right to appeal this verdict, effectively from the day of receiving this communication.
ANC Mangaung Spokesperson Ncamile Nxangisa said the Regional Executive Committee of the African National Congress in Mangaung held an urgent meeting on 30 March 2023.
“The meeting was to reflect on the recent developments in the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality, especially as it relates to the blatant and glaring defiance of the party line and discipline by its members in the Mangaung Council,” he said.
The decision means that there will be by-elections in four wards.
Nxangisa said the REC took note of and is in concurrence with the statement of the Provincial Executive Committee which has raised the illegality of the 29th March Council sitting, “which we are equally convinced was procedurally flawed and its outcomes therefore borders on potential illegality. As indicated by the ANC Provincial Executive Committee, the REC will also await the legal counsel and advice to determine the appropriate remedy on this matter.”
In addition, the REC said it is convinced that irrespective of the legality or illegality of the council sitting, a clear strategy and intent had already been demonstrated by “rogue elements inside the ANC to ensure that the ANC election victory would be undermined and disregarded.”
This follows a caucus decision to forward the name of Lawrence Mathae as the ANC candidate for the position of the Council Speaker.
The outcome of that voting process to elect the Council Speaker, as announced; reflected that the opposition parties had received more votes than they jointly hold in the Council.
The higher votes received by the opposition means that certain ANC members had deliberately colluded with the opposition, to ensure that the ANC
preferred candidate for the position of the Council Speaker is not elected.
The ANC obtained 51% in the 2021 Local Government Election, therefore placing the ANC as the majority party in the Mangaung Metropolitan Municipal Council.
“What took place in Council wherein almost 11 ANC council representatives defied the party line even after a thorough caucus engagement; we deem this behaviour as unacceptable.
“The organisation deem this act of ill discipline as the highest form of arson and affront to the organisation, and we are compelled to take decisive action to curtail such from happening again,” he said.
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