ANC rejects candidates ‘of questionable character’

No candidates of the ANC will be allowed to be on the list for the Eastern Cape legislature or parliament if they have a criminal record or are “generally of questionable character”.

This was said by ANC Eastern Cape provincial secretary Lulama Ngcukayitobi as he welcomed the outcome of the provincial list conference that took place on Sunday.

“The ANC has demonstrated that it is serious about the renewal of values and its standing,” he said.

“The ANC is very satisfied with all the processes to be followed and given that the completion of the process will be in the ANC extended NEC [national executive committee] meeting to consolidate and finalise the province to province, province to national and national to national list on January 4.”

He said people of questionable character were people who had been found guilty of fraud and convicted criminals either charged by the ANC or a court of law.

It includes people facing disciplinary action by the ANC.

Provincial chair Oscar Mabuyane emerged at the top of the province to province list, a strong indication that he was the likely premier candidate for the Eastern Cape for the 2019 national and provincial elections, while communications minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams topped the province to national list.

The top five in the province to province list also include Helen Sauls-August, Mlungiisi Mvoko, Nomakhosazana Meth and Babalo Madikizela.

The province to national list includes Lindelwa Dunjwa, Phumeza Mpushe, Xola Nqola and Eunice Kekana.

“We are committed to building a government on the principles of transparency, fairness and consultation,” Ngcukayitobi said.

“The ANC has placed much emphasis on selecting candidates for parliament and provincial legislatures that have a track-record of involvement in communities, who are familiar with consultative processes, and who are able to forge partnerships in implementation.

“We are also pleased by the character of the provincial list conference and have noted high levels of participation by branches through delegates.”

He said candidates would go through rigorous screening to ensure all were elected on the basis of their own experience and merit.