Corrupt leaders will not represent us, says ANC
THE ANC is set to block leaders who are corrupt, convicted of crimes or who are facing serious allegations of wrongdoing from being the party’s public representatives in provincial and national government.
This is contained in the party’s guidelines for the selection of candidates that the ruling party will deploy to provincial legislatures, Parliament and government after the 2019 elections, a process that is likely to see comrades jostling for cushy jobs.
In the document, titled “ANC candidate selection process 2019 elections”, the party says it plans to comb the list of candidates to ensure that they meet criteria for selection and that they do not have “any factor that will bring the ANC into disrepute”.
While the guidelines are not new, they are set to put the ruling party on a collision course with its alliance partners as the document clearly states that no seats will be “reserved” for the SACP, Cosatu and Sanco.
Among the criteria for candidates – who must all be members in good standing with a proven track record of commitment and involvement in the party – are:
No criminal record after 1996 that resulted in a sentence of 12 months or more without the option of a fine
No history of ill-discipline or corruption No history of involvement in fostering divisions and conflict
No other breaches of the ANC code of conduct The party was initially scheduled to hold nominations for candidates by June and July, screen them and hold provincial list conferences this month, and conclude the selection process with the national list conference and the vetting of candidates by mid-September.
But the whole process is yet to start.
Remove
The party has indicated that it may remove people who are being criminally investigated.
“That national list conference may also remove a name of a candidate if compelling reasons are presented (for example the list committee was not aware that the integrity committee or DC (disciplinary committee) had ruled against conduct of a comrade, or that a comrade is under investigation for a serious crime),” the report said.
While the removal would require 80% of support from delegates, it could pose a risk for the political careers of those implicated.
There will be no seats reserved for leaders of the SACP, Cosatu and Sanco.
“The list process is an ANC process, and all candidates stand as ANC members. Provision will be made for the effective participation of the alliance in the process. There will be no reserved seats for any organisation within or outside the alliance on the lists because MPs are ultimately accountable to the ANC,” the party said.
This is despite calls by the SACP for alliance partners to have their own list processes, whose outcomes would be consolidated through a joint process.