Mahumapelo insists he’s still an ANC member

ANC MP and former North West premier Supra Mahumapelo says he will continue with his ANC activities until the outcome of his suspension appeal.

Anyone against his continued membership should raise it with the office of ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule, he said. “I’m the victim here. I received a response from the SGO (secretary-general’s office) and I’ve accepted their decision.

“If anyone is uncomfortable about the decision, they should take it up with the SGO,” he said yesterday.

This clarification comes after the interim provincial committee (IPC) of the ANC in North West said Mahumapelo remained suspended from the party after he was found guilty of violating its code of conduct.

“My membership is still in good standing until the outcome of the appeals process. I’m continuing my ANC activities as I’m in Makapanstad addressing churches about the vision for the North West,” he said.

The North West disciplinary committee last week found Mahumapelo and ANC Women’s League secretary Bitsa Lenkopane guilty of misconduct. They were suspended three weeks ago amid claims that they had held a parallel rally metres from one held by the party’s interim leadership committee (IPC) in Mareetsane six months ago.

On Thursday, Mahumapelo and Lenkopane revealed that they would both appeal their suspension. According to the pair, they weren’t formally informed about their suspension.

Hours after their appeals announcement they received confirmation from Magashule on the status of their membership.

The IPC committee, co-ordinated by Hlomani Chauke, said it was taken aback by letters written by Magashule informing Mahumapelo and Lenkopane that since they had appealed their five-year suspension to the national disciplinary committee of appeals their membership remained “intact”.

Last week, Mahumapelo told the SABC that he had not pleaded during the disciplinary proceedings. “We have not even pleaded. We got stuck on them having to recuse themselves, them having to give us further particulars … it’s clear in the letter that if you want to embark on disciplinary processes, you will require approval from the secretary-general’s office … there’s no approval.”

Lenkopane said she was informed about her suspension through the media. “There have been a lot of calls for clarity from comrades, the media, churches, the community and NPOs.

“This decision is more of intimidation and purging … I respect the ANC constitution and its policies, and have decided to appeal the matter to the ANC national disciplinary committee (NDC), and to allow all internal processes of the organisation to unfold as allocated in Rule 25.36. The NDC acknowledged receipt of my appeal.

“I have further written to the IEC, Speaker of the North West Legislature and secretary to inform them of the appeal lodged and that the status quo remains.”