Mabuyane defends step-aside resolution
RE-ELECTED ANC Eastern Cape chairperson Oscar Mabuyane has described the allegations of bribing delegates at the party’s ninth elective conference last week as baseless, saying those who chose to use money to buy votes were not members of the ANC.
In an exclusive interview yesterday, Mabuyane said some of the allegations were unsubstantiated and malicious.
“They have no basis to start with. As a journalist, your responsibility is to establish the validity of any information that you receive. In so doing, you have to be very objective. Having said that, I need to bring to your attention the fact that lobby groups campaigned for their preferred candidates.
“We do not encourage, at all, our members to use money in influencing a specific position including campaigns. Members of the ANC must always be persuaded politically and ideologically to make informed choices. Those who chose to use money to buy votes are not members of the ANC but are in the ANC. They are hangers-on who do not understand the values of our organisation.”
Mabuyane, a staunch ally of President Cyril Ramaphosa, emerged victorious over former provincial treasurer Babalo Madikizela, with his entire slate winning the conference.
Ahead of the conference on Friday, Madikizela had urged his supporters to take the bribe money from those competing with him but vote the right way.
“We have fo**l money. They will give you money. They are part of the establishment. They are the haves. They’ve been in power in the ANC for 12 years. If they bribe you, you must take the money and do the right thing, comrades. Let’s remain focused and disciplined,” Madikizela said.
On the contentious step-aside resolution, Mabuyane said the party had implemented it with fairness, consistency and without biases.
“The ANC delegates at Nasrec took the decision to introduce the step-aside rule as a matter of principle. The principles appeal to the political and revolutionary conscience of our members. It is aimed at saving the image of the ANC. Therefore, as members we have a responsibility to protect our brand – the ANC.”
He said the step-aside resolution was not used to weaken or purge rivals before last week’s conference.
“I really do not understand how the step-aside rule would have been used to purge ANC members in good standing when a rigorous and vibrant process started at branch and regional level.”
Mabuyane finds himself at the centre of a Hawks investigation after he and Madikizela were found to have personally benefited from funds meant to ferry mourners to the memorial service of the late Struggle icon Winnie Madikizela Mandela.