The alliance partners of the African National Congress (ANC) in the North West say they hope other members of the party will learn from Supra Mahumapelo’s suspension that no one is above the party.
The former chairperson of the ANC and the acting provincial secretary of the ANC Women’s League, Bitsa Lenkopane, were suspended for five years from the ANC on Wednesday.
They were both charged with misconduct, after allegedly convening a parallel meeting to that of the Interim Provincial Committee (IPC) in Mareetsane, near Mahikeng, in 2020.
Cosatu Provincial Secretary, Kopano Konopi, says, “We feel that it is high time the ANC becomes decisive on issues of discipline and demonstrate to all its members that discipline is something that must be obeyed in the ANC. All the resolutions and constitution of the ANC must be respected, including the respect of the leadership that is leading the ANC at the time.”
“Irrespective of whether it is the interim leadership or it is the leadership that is elected at the congress. We hope that members of the ANC will see that the ANC is serious in instilling discipline in the organisation,” adds Konopi.
Sanco’s provincial secretary, Packet Seaketso says, “It clearly shows that nobody is above the organisation. We are aware that they have a right to appeal their decision to the highest decision- making body, which is the national executive committee (NEC) disciplinary committee. But the fact of the matter is nobody can do as he pleases or as he wishes in the ANC, without the ANC taking a decision.”
Supra Mahumapelo suspended from ANC for five years:
Mahumapelo to respond
Mahumapelo says he will respond to his suspension from the ANC in a media briefing on Thursday.
He says he heard about his suspension through the media.
Meanwhile, during his address to his supporters on Sunday, he accused the ANC of violating the Constitution, saying some of the party’s resolutions are in conflict with the law.
He urged the ANC NEC to suspend its step-aside resolution until the party’s next national conference.
In the video below, Mahumapelo briefs branches on recent suspension of a number of prominent ANC members:
