The outcome of the ANC’s national executive committee (NEC) meeting at the weekend is likely to reverberate throughout the week.
The party is expected to hold a media briefing on the outcome of the meeting early in the week. Insiders said “intense” discussions took place on “wayward” members and the “devastating loss” of the party’s majority in the 2024 general elections.
Some within the NEC, the party’s highest decision-making body between national conferences, said President Cyril Ramaphosa’s reform agenda and the party’s hopes of reclaiming its credibility as the “leader of society” were being derailed by those accused of corruption who were refusing to “do the right thing” and step aside until they were charged by law enforcement agencies.
However, the ANC’s step-aside rule is clear that members accused of serious crimes must resign from public office only once they are in the dock and formally charged.
ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula confirmed one of the main items on the NEC’s agenda was finalisation of the terms of reference for the party’s integrity commission, which serves as the ANC’s accountability body. The commission makes recommendations to the NEC, which then takes a decision on allegations against members accused of bringing the party into disrepute.
The integrity commission is understood to have submitted its report to the NEC on justice minister Thembi Simelane’s loan linked to VBS Mutual Bank for consideration. Simelane has come under fire for a R575,000 loan she received from Gundo Wealth Solutions during her tenure as mayor of Polokwane.
Clarity could also emerge on the ANC’s view on the way forward for the government of national unity (GNU), which includes the DA, IFP and seven other smaller parties, on the clash over two key issues. These are the implementation of the National Health Insurance (NHI), which aims to offer every South African universal coverage at the expense of the private healthcare sector, and the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act, which strips school governing bodies of their powers.
These issues are expected to be discussed at the next meeting of the DA’s federal executive, as they pose a threat to the sustainability of the GNU.
Business Day understands talks within the GNU and other stakeholders such as Business Unity SA are ongoing and the NHI and Basic Education Laws Amendment Act issues may be resolved only next year ahead of the state of the nation address by Ramaphosa.
Tension between public servants and the government is expected to worsen if the health and education budgets are again cut in the medium-term budget policy statement. Cuts would create more vacancies of teachers and nurses in SA’s schools and hospitals.
Also this week, minister of international relations & co-operation Ronald Lamola will host his Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Sybiha, for political consultations. The visit is aimed at strengthening bilateral relations. Ramaphosa’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the 2024 Brics summit caused a stir last week.
On Thursday, deputy president Paul Mashatile will answer questions in the National Assembly. Ramaphosa has asked Mashatile to lead GNU discussions on conflict resolution, so that disagreements between parties do not so easily become public spats.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.