Party slams leaks from its NEC meeting

The ANC says it is concerned by consistent leaking of its internal discussions to the media.

Party spokesperson Pule Mabe said there was a growing tendency to leak discussions within the party to the media.

The ANC at the weekend held its national executive committee meeting virtually, and several discussions, including audio recordings, have been leaked to the media.

Even at the previous NEC meeting, a number of recordings of ANC discussions, revealing ANC members squabbling about the party’s stepaside rule were leaked.

These included a clip of deputy-secretary general Jessie Duarte where she could be heard criticising the Zondo commission during a meeting of the top party leadership and former president Jacob Zuma.

“A case in point is the leaking of information to a digital media platform referred to as Insight Factor that has appointed itself to perform the task of giving ‘As it happens’ updates of the NEC.

“We are aware that they are supplied information by their own proxies to further a nefarious task of not only dividing the ANC, but also to drive a particular narrative that goes against the united spirit displayed by the meeting of the NEC currently under way,” said Mabe.

The Insight Factor is a recently established online media platform that has in the past interviewed individuals seen to be opposed to the faction that is aligned to President Cyril

Ramaphosa in the ANC.

Mabe said the leaking of information was against the party’s approved communication protocol. “In terms of this protocol, any member who leaks or releases information to the media or public without due authorisation or prior approval shall be guilty of misconduct.”

He said the ANC legal team was investigating the leaks, including unauthorised dissemination of ANC NEC material across social media platforms.