ANC to review sex pest findings
SUSPENDED ANC Western Cape chairperson Marius Fransman says he will resume his responsibilities as the party’s leader in the province.
This follows the ANC’s national disciplinary committee of appeal’s (NDCA) decision to refer Fransman’s case back to the national disciplinary committee (NDC).
The NDC had found Fransman guilty on two counts of misconduct – one for abusing his office for the purpose of attempting to obtain a sexual favour from Louisa Wynand, and another for making public statements which brought the ANC into disrepute.
Fransman then appealed the NDC’s decision at the party’s disciplinary committee of appeal for a review of the finding, arguing that the NDC did not consider the technical point on procedure.
The party’s NDC had last year found both charges to be “very serious” and suspended his ANC membership for five years. It was reported that Wynand was allegedly “forced” to sleep next to Fransman in Kimberley while they were staying in a hotel, on their way to Rustenburg to celebrate the ANC’s birthday.
Fransman also allegedly touched her while two fellow passengers were seated in the back of the vehicle.
During a media briefing at the ANC’s provincial office yesterday, Fransman said he will petition the party to make a final decision on the matter.
But ANC spokesperson Khusela Sangoni said the party will issue a statement on Fransman’s matter.
Fransman said: “I am thankful for the NDCA to say they are throwing out the ruling of the NDC. That is why I’m back in office, because the moment the NDCA referred this matter back to the NDC, it basically said reconvene that disciplinary hearing so that you can make a proper finding even if you come to the same conclusion.”
Fransman, who has been vocal in his support for President Jacob Zuma, slammed some members of the appeals committee headed by national committee member Jeff Radebe, saying some of them had embarrassed the party by by speaking publicly against their colleagues in the cabinet and the president.
“I am appreciative that they have ruled that the NDC did not follow proper processes.
“However, the NDCA wanted to put beautiful words… the bottom line of the statement they sent to me is that the NDC did not follow proper fair process, they were found wanting and were wrong. Hence if their conclusion was wrong, I am taking back my position in the ANC,” he said.
Fransman said the NDCA did not have the conviction or political maturity to tell the NDC it was irregular in its decision and that there was no case against him.
“The NDCA referred the matter back because they do not have the political ability to say to the NDC there is no case, they do not have the political ability to say it was irregular to charge Fransman,” he added.