ANC leader Cyril Ramaphosa asked party members to reflect after the nomination of Mandla Msibi who is facing charges of murder and attempted murder. The step-aside rule calls on all those who have been charged by the court to voluntarily step aside or face suspension.
Msibi faces charges of murder and attempted murder relating to a shooting incident in Mbombela in 2021. With the step-aside rule in place it prohibited ANC party members like Msibi from attending the Mpumalanga conference and also performing their officer duties until they have been cleared by the courts of law.
The 2017 step-aside rules endorsed by the party did not prevent Mandla Msibi from being elected as the provincial treasurer at the conference. Ramaphosa expressed concern and said members should think carefully about the decisions they take and must remember the guidelines which have been adopted.
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“On the issue of stepping aside, we must demonstrate that we are truly serious at the ANC. During the course of your election, you took the step of endorsing and electing a comrade facing charges” Ramaphosa said. “This matter needs your attention, your reflection must be based on the NEC decision. I call you to reflect on this matter. You are not the only province facing this issue. The issue of renewal is a process.”
Gwen Romokgopa, the ANC coordinator in the secretary general’s office, called the nomination of Msibi very unfortunate and disappointing. Ramokgopa said Msibi could be asked to step down from his position.
Source: News24, Opera News, The Bharat Express News, image from The Bharat Express
