ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula defended the party against criticisms that it has selectively applied its step-aside rule when it comes to the allegations raised against former Minister Senzo Mchunu, who was placed on leave of absence by President Cyril Ramaphosa last week.

Mbalula, came out to address the media during a short interval at the Cape Sun Hotel, where the ANC’s National Working Committee (NWC) met with the Provincial Executive Committee.

This forms part of the ANC’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its organisational capacity and engage directly with structures of the movement across regions and districts.

Mchunu, who was also present at the ANC’s NWC meeting, faces allegations of corruption and malfeasance from KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi.

The ANC has previously said it welcomes Ramaphosa’s decision to establish a judicial commission of inquiry to probe the allegations against Mchunu.

However, there were some senior members of the party who questioned the step-aside rule and its effectiveness, saying it only applied to some.

The rule requires members of the party who are facing serious allegations to step aside from their positions. The rule has seen some ANC officials having to vacate office until they were cleared of any wrongdoing.

A senior member said there was commotion among ANC corridors in Luthuli House because some felt Ramaphosa was selective in the application of the step-aside rule.

Mbalula said there is no such thing as selective application of the step-aside rule. He said once members are arrested or appear in court, then the rule is applied.

“When last did you see people supporting each other going to court with ANC t-shirts? You get arrested, you stand on your own. Step-aside rule applies. Those who vulgarise things shamelessly will say that the rule doesn’t apply to Senzo Mchunu, but the president did put him aside, with immediate effect.

“Argue the question of how that has happened, but he is aside. We’ve got an acting Minister (Gwede Mantashe) who is chairing the meeting today. I’ve explained, and I’m repeating it again today – Senzo will not step aside in relation to the ANC. He is an elected member.

“He’s got an opportunity now, in terms of the audi (alteram partem) principle, to also state his side of the story. Once we listen to that, it is also evaluated in terms of facts by a competent, independent judge, and a judicial commission like the president appointed, then we can pass judgment.

“Let’s allow the process to follow; this is what all South Africans look forward to. Even we’re looking forward to that.

“The principle of our jurisprudence allows that somebody’s story must also be listened to, and that is there is any wrongdoing by him, and all of that, the ANC, in terms of its renewal process, this kicks in,” Mbalula said.“There are many ANC members who are step-aside, who have appeared in court, who have been arrested.

“We are the only party in South Africa that practices things even beyond the jurisprudence. Even Magashule failed to challenge the step-aside rule.”

Magashule referred to former ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule, who went to court to overturn his suspension for failing to step aside after being criminally charged.

“It was affirmed by the Constitutional Court that there was nothing unconstitutional about the step-aside rule because it is entrenched in the ANC constitution itself.

“There is nothing like selective justice, and selective application of the step-aside rule. If you are arrested, you appear before the courts, even before you appear. Once you are arrested, you step aside.”

Mbalula also touched on how the NWC’s visit to the Western Cape structure is their fifth in a series of visits to provinces, as they seek to strengthen their organisational branches in the region.

He said that they have been receiving reports from their visits. President Ramaphosa was in the Boland Region on Saturday as part of their efforts.

“All of us were in different regions (of the province). We interacted with branches that gave us reports, and we are currently processing those reports. Tomorrow (on Monday), the working committee will meet to reflect on the reports and chat on the way forward to strengthen our organisation here in the province.”

theolin.tembo@inl.co.za

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