The ANC’s top brass is scheduled to meet this weekend to finalise terms of reference for its internal watchdog.
The officials will also be given a diagnostic report on the state of the party, which is leading a 10-member coalition government after its poor performance in the May elections.
Secretary-general Fikile Mbalula says the ANC’s national executive committee (NEC) will receive reports on outstanding cases before its integrity commission, a body headed by former anti-apartheid stalwart Frank Chikane that ensures members adhere to the party’s ethical code.
The integrity commission has previously flagged high-profile members of the party who had been implicated in allegations of corruption, including former sport, arts & culture minister Zizi Kodwa, former president and leader of the MK party Jacob Zuma, former health minister Zweli Mkhize, human settlements, water & sanitation deputy minister David Mahlobo, former North West premier Supra Mahumapelo; and former MPs Mosebenzi Zwane, Bongani Bongo and Thabang Makwetla.
Recently, justice minister Thembi Simelane was hauled before the integrity commission to explain alleged dodgy dealings with VBS Mutual Bank, which imploded in 2018. Business Day understands that Simelane provided proof she had paid back in full the loan she took in 2016. She also detailed that during her time as mayor of Polokwane the municipality had not only invested a budget surplus with VBS but also with Standard Bank and Sanlam.
It is understood that Simelane paid back more than R800,000 to VBS on a loan exceeding R500,000.
On Monday, the ANC’s national working committee, which is responsible for the party’s daily activities, will discuss the criminal charges faced by former spokesperson Pule Mabe and his decision to step down from his position in the NEC in line with the party’s constitution.
The 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 NEC,” Mbalula said.
“Gone are the days where the ANC will be complicit, ambiguous about the fight against corruption ... Today many of our comrades, when arrested, are required by law to step aside. Renewal is painful like that.”
Mbalula was speaking at an ANC gathering in Johannesburg to commemorate the life of stalwart Albertina Sisulu.
The integrity commission was established after the ANC’s 2012 elective conference, where Zuma was elected to lead the party for a second term, as a mechanism of accountability in line with the party’s renewal ambitions. However, it has limited powers to uphold accountability and integrity within the party as it can only make recommendations to the NEC, which then has the power to enforce or reject the recommendations.
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