Sisulu called by integrity commission

It seems the ANC has not let Tourism Minister Lindiwe Sisulu off the hook over her controversial opinion piece.

Sisulu will be summoned before the ANC’s integrity commission to explain her attack on the constitution and the judiciary.

The minister, who is also a national executive committee member of the ANC, will also need to provide an explanation regarding her public disagreement with the Presidency.

On Thursday, ANC treasurer-general Paul Mashatile said the party’s officials met with Sisulu on Monday. He said another meeting would take place between the minister and Deputy President David Mabuza.

Mashatile also confirmed Sisulu has already explained herself to the ANC’s top six leaders over her tit-for-tat exchange, and will face the ANC’s integrity commission.

“We had engagements with her, and we want to keep it that way. We have asked her to see the deputy president. There are certain things she will be explaining to him, and they will come back to explain to ANC leadership structures,” Mashatile said.

On 20 January, the Presidency claimed President Cyril Ramaphosa had admonished Sisulu about her opinion piece during their meeting in Cape Town.

According to the Presidency, Sisulu had retracted her criticism of the judiciary and African judges, in particular.

In a surprise move, Sisulu distanced herself from the statement, saying “under no circumstances did I commit to any retraction or apology, since I stand by what I penned”. The Presidency said it stood by its earlier statement, despite Sisulu effectively saying Ramaphosa was lying.

In the opinion piece, Sisulu argued the constitution was a “neo-liberal” document that had done little to bring about social justice. It also seemed to liken the judiciary to “house negroes” and said black politicians had become “black assets for colonised capital”.

Acting Chief Justice Raymond Zondo said the judiciary had never said it should not be criticised, only that the criticism should be fair and factual.

Sisulu said she was seeking legal advise and would respond to his comments. –