WHILE political parties are moving full steam ahead with their 2024 election campaigns, the governing party has hard decisions to make in getting the right candidates to stand in during the elections.
The matter has become tricky for the ANC, with almost 100 key members affected by its step-aside policy after they were charged with various crimes, including corruption and fraud.
As a result, the ANC is hosting a special National Executive Committee (NEC) in Boksburg on Monday, 4 March, to get its house in order.
According to the party, the meeting is meant to finalise their nomination list for Members of Parliament and members of the National Council of Provinces.
The list needs to be completed before the Electoral Commission deadline on Friday, 8 March.
Addressing the media, ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula said the NEC would receive a list of about 284 candidates who have been taken through the party’s internal interview and vetting processes.
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“Today, we'll get the report from the list committee. That process would have looked at screening, integrity issues and performance.
"Because in all of this, we need continuity, the performance of those who were given an opportunity to serve will be looked into, not in an effort to retain 50% of them in the list so that there's continuity.
“We'll hold a press conference to give final feedback on the ANC list and also answer all questions that may emanate from it,” he said.
Mbalula added that even the President of the ANC, Cyril Ramaphosa, has gone through the process of being interviewed and vetted for criminal records.
He said there are issues of integrity that the ANC considers.
“Integrity is also looked into as far as what the person is accused of, how the matter affects the ANC in terms of its standing in society, and the legality. We can assure the public that the matters are being considered, and once the list process is done, we'll be able to speak on all matters on a practical basis,” Mbalula said.
Meanwhile, as the NEC deals with the list, it's still unlikely that those affected by the step-aside policy will be brought forward.
Many party members were implicated in the Zondo Commission State Capture Report.
The list includes the current Minister of Sports, Art and Culture, Zizi Kodwa, and ANC Deputy Secretary-General, Nomvula Mokonyane.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile came under fire recently after numerous allegations against him.
This led the DA to open a case against Mashatile.
National Police spokeswoman Colonel Athlenda Mathe confirmed that a case has been opened against Mashatile by the DA leader John Steenhuisen, but he has not been charged yet.
Political Analyst, Levy Ndou has warned that the step-aside rule might work against the ANC.
