MPUMALANGA ANC has reversed its decision to reinstate a former MEC and ANC PEC member who is allegedly facing rape charges.
The 48-year-old was summarily suspended from the party during his arrest on September.
However, on Tuesday, 24 November the PEC took a decision to reinstate him as a PEC member.
On Thursday, 26 November the ANC made a u-turn during a PEC meeting and withdrew the reinstatement of the accused.
On Monday, during his court appearance at the Nelspruit Magistrates Court, his lawyer Mduduzi Nkosi asked the court to ease his bail conditions as he has resumed his duties in the party.
The magistrate agreed and asked that the accused report to the Nelspruit police station every last Friday of the month.
Mpumalanga ANC acting secretary Lindiwe Ntshalintshali told Daily Sun that the PEC agreed to support the victims but when the accused challenged the suspension decision, there were different views on how to approach the matter.
“Unfortunately when he appeared in court he said he is going back to the ANC. National had to intervene and I am happy that he still remains suspended.
“My decision that he must stay at home still remains and they have rescinded that decision because it was a bit insensitive of them to say he must come back, saying why the others who have cases of corruption are refusing to step aside.
“These cases are not the same and I think it was very bad of the ANC members not to take cognizance of that,” she said.
Ntshalintshali said the accused will not participate in any structures and he must not speak on behalf of the organisation.
“This matter is before the NEC. The NEC will discuss this matter and we shall be guided. The matter of gender- based violence is a very serious matter. I will remain an advocate for saying men can’t bully, rape and traumatise us,” she said.
The province’s PEC is expected to meet with the NEC on the afternoon of Friday, 27 November.
The EFF in Mpumalanga said they are not surprised with the ANC’s actions of rescinding its decision to reinstate the accused.
EFF chairperson, Collen Sedibe said the ANC should have taken a conscious decision to put him aside when the member was arrested, until his name is cleared.
He said in the public’s eyes this is very serious and what makes it worse is that the party took the decision to reinstate him just before the country was to launch its 16 Days of Activism Campaign for No Violence Against Women and Children.
“We are not surprised with what is happening because it is the ANC that went to court and defended him outside the court wearing ANC T-shirts.
“To them the abuse of women and children is just nothing, but something normal. I don’t think the public will ever take the ANC seriously in terms of the fight against gender-based violence,” he said
The DA’s Women Network chairperson in the province, Annerie Weber, said by reinstating the PEC member the ANC has highlighted the failure of the party to combat the scourge of GBV within its own ranks.
“When the ANC speaks of addressing South Africa’s second pandemic, it’s only to pay lip service. They have no political will, both internally and in government, to root these heinous crimes out of our society.
Instead of sending out a strong message that politicians must not use their positions in society to abuse young children and women, the ANC empowers a cadre accused of the most heinous of crimes.
“In order to combat GBV and femicide, a whole society approach is required, which include government, law enforcement agencies, communities, civil society and political parties.”
