Reports embattled Fransman is back are false, say senior party leaders

TOP WESTERN Cape ANC leaders would not provide clarity yesterday on an instruction delivered to acting provincial ANC chairman Khaya Magaxa that his tenure would end on Thursday and Marius Fransman would resume the position.

Party insiders have said Magaxa was informed of the decision by Water Affairs and Sanitation Minister Nomvula Mokonyane in the presence of several national executive committee members during an election planning session earlier yesterday.

Fransman later accompanied President Jacob Zuma campaigning in Philippi.

Fransman had stepped aside in February to allow the ANC national integrity committee to investigate allegations by a young Stel- lenbosch woman that he sexually harassed her while they travelled with two other people to attend the ANC’s 104th anniversary celebrations in Rustenburg.

The committee’s investigation, which Fransman slated as unfair, recommended the matter be referred to the national disciplinary committee.

Mokonyane confirmed Fransman’s reinstatement when she informed reporters he was back and the issue had been resolved.

However, Mokonyane’s statements have been questioned by both Magaxa and ANC national spokesman Zizi Kodwa, who said it was “a false report” that the embattled Fransman was back.

“The reports are false, as the integrity committee recommended that the matter be referred to the national disciplinary committee.

“So Fransman has not been reinstated,” Kodwa said.

He added the provincial chairman “won’t be reinstated until the matter has been dealt with by the national disciplinary committee”.

Acting provincial chairman Magaxa denied it was a formal or official meeting where he was notified his duties would come to an end.

“There was no official meeting, it was just door to door,” Magaxa said.

“Until I am officially notified by the ANC, I am still the acting chair.

“If there are any changes they will correspond and we are urgently awaiting their correspondence.”

He said the Western Cape office did not want to discuss the matter of Fransman any further because “we elevated that issue to national”.

On Fransman’s presence at the Philippi campaign event, Magaxa said:”Like anyone, he can attend a public event. If he attends a public event that does not say anything.”

Mokonyane did not respond to calls for further clarification on her statements concerning Fransman.

It is understood Fransman was busy with party work yesterday, and was unavailable to comment on his status.

zenzile.khoisan@inl.co.za