ANC torpor on Mkolo, Lungisa drags on

The ANC’s top five officials at Calata House, along with their provincial working committee (PWC) members, met behind closed doors on Monday to craft a plan on how to force its troubled Nelson Mandela Metro councillor Andile Lungisa out of office.

This follows a national executive committee decision last month to instruct the Oscar Mabuyane-led executive to recall Lungisa as the metro’s portfolio committee head of engineering services.

The party said this was in line with its conference decision to hold those who have been found guilty in a court of law of wrongdoing to account. Lungisa is appealing a guilty verdict for assaulting a fellow councillor with a jug a year ago.

ANC provincial secretary Lulama Ngcukayitobi confirmed Lungisa was defying party orders by remaining in office.

The PWC “has been given a fresh mandate, to see to it that the decision to recall him [Lungisa] is implemented.

“He has not resigned yet.” Meanwhile Pumlani Mkolo remains at the helm of the WB Rubusana REC in BCM.

Ngcukayitobi said this will be the case until the Jessie Duarteled national appeals committee communicates a decision advising otherwise.

Mkolo faces a similar challenge as the national leaders want him to resign as chairperson of the region. This follows his pending fraud and corruption trial over the Nelson Mandela memorial scandal.

Duarte’s initial report recommended the Rubusana REC be replaced with a task team but the NEC advised that the committee revisit the metro and compile a final report, which the PEC would have to implement.