Fransman fingers Mantashe as leader of ‘regime change’ in ANC

ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe has been fingered as the ringleader of a “regime-change agenda” within the former liberation movement as the fight between the ANC and its embattled Western Cape leader Marius Fransman continues.

Fransman was last week slapped with a five-year ban by the ANC following allegations of sexual harassment against him. He has ridiculed the disciplinary process that found him guilty, saying it was driven by a factional agenda and was challenging its outcome.

Yesterday Fransman accused the ANC’s national disciplinary committee of applying double-standards, saying it had failed to sanction Mantashe when allegations of sexual harassment were reported against him last year.

At the time, Mantashe dismissed the allegations as nothing but a smear campaign.

“The disciplinary process must not have eyes. It must not be selective by having one set of rules for one individual and another for others,” said Fransman. “Was Mantashe not supposed to appear before a disciplinary committee? He holds a high office. He pushed an agenda against Fransman but is not prepared to face the music (himself).”

Fransman described the allegations he faced as a political ploy to tarnish him. When asked why he felt Mantashe was targeting him, Fransman said: “It is very clear that comrade Mantashe understands that I don’t support the regime-change agenda (that he is pushing for), that says we should create anarchy to get positions in the ANC.”

He said he had spoken out about secret plans from within the ruling party to remove President Jacob Zuma from power.

The party is set to elect a new leadership in December next year. It has fended off sustained calls for Zuma to step down because of the many scandals associated with his leadership of the government and the party. Zuma has dodged numerous votes of no confidence against him.

Fransman said: “The instability that we see today is what I call the enemy within the ANC that is fighting for its narrow political interests.”

He accused the party’s national disciplinary committee of having been captured by a faction led by Mantashe. The committee, said Fransman, had lied to the country when it said he had received all the documentation from it to help him prepare for the hearing.

Contacted for comment, Mantashe said: “I respect the processes of the ANC. Fransman has got a right to appeal to the national disciplinary committee of appeal.

“Now, he is using The Star ... as an appeal process and wants to call me as a witness, I’m sorry!” luyolo.mkentane@inl.co.za

@luyolomkentane