ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe blasted the party’s election campaign head, Nomvula Mokonyane, for saying that
Marius Fransman was back at work.
“Nomvula was ahead of herself. In an organisation, decisions are taken formally. You don’t take a decision like a lone wolf.
“She was under pressure because she was at a rally where Fransman arrived and she needed to save face,” he said.
Mantashe went on to say ANC structures had been ill-disciplined to tell the media that Fransman was back as Western Cape leader.
“Marius was asked to step aside after a national working committee meeting, so now the integrity commission has completed its work. It has recommended the case be given to the disciplinary committee.
“He hasn’t appeared before the committee yet. Until then, he can’t return to his position,” Mantashe said yesterday.
Fransman himself said in a statement on Saturday: “I have never ceased to be the Western Cape ANC leader since my election to the office.
“I voluntarily stepped aside to allow the integrity commission to conclude its work without interference. And I am now assuming my duties and responsibilities again at the conclusion of that process.”
For the first time since he was asked to step aside, Fransman was seen at the side of ANC President Jacob Zuma on Thursday.
They were campaigning in Philippi, Khayelitsha and Delft. This was seen as an endorsement of Fransman by Zuma.
Mantashe said Zuma cannot endorse Fransman. – NEWS24
