Only ANCWL’s leadership was replaced – ANC

THE ANC has dismissed reports that the ANCWL was disbanded and confirmed that it was, in fact, only its leadership that had been replaced.

The ANC’s national executive committee (NEC) treasurer-general Paul Mashatile said the ANCWL organisation was still intact. Only the leadership had been replaced by a task team. He said their term of office had expired.

The briefing took place at Luthuli House yesterday after the NEC meeting in a special session on Sunday and Monday.

The meeting focused on the finalisation of discussion documents towards the ANC National Policy Conference and 55th National Conference, to be held at the end of July and in December 2022 respectively.

The special NEC also dealt with urgent organisational matters, including the implementation of the “stepaside” resolution adopted by the 54th National Conference, the ANC Women’s League, and the status of interim structures.

Mashatile said the NEC received a report from a task team consisting of convener Thandi Modise, Nathi Mthethwa and Jenny Schreiner. They were tasked with considering and making recommendations regarding the status of the ANCWL and its NEC.

“The NEC decided that the ANCWL should be disbanded and replaced with a National Task Team (NTT). The NTT must ensure that ANCWL structures are in good standing and that conferences are held in branches, regions and provinces to ensure that the ANCWL National Conference is convened on a solid organisational foundation,” Mashatile said.

He said the NEC received a report from national officials on matters arising from the conviction and sentencing of ANCWL president Bathabile Dlamini. She was found guilty of perjury by the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court last month.

“The NEC noted that Dlamini has agreed to present herself to the ANC integrity commission. The NEC will await the report of the integrity commission,” Mashatile said.

He said in February 2021, the NEC adopted guidelines and procedures on the implementation of national conference resolutions on ANC credibility and integrity. It dealt with corruption and fighting crime and corruption and the implementation of the “stepaside” resolution adopted by the 54th national conference.