Corruption-charged African National Congress (ANC) member of Parliament Malusi Gigaba is yet to step aside as per the party’s policy.
This was revealed by the party’s secretary-general, Fikile Mbalula, during a media briefing on the outcomes of the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on Tuesday.
MALUSI GIGABA WILL STEP ASIDE VOLUNTARILY
During the briefing, Mbalula said the organisation had received an update on Gigaba’s legal matters, but had not been formally notified by Gigaba himself.
“I don’t have a letter from Malusi. However, from the ANC’s perspective, if Malusi is charged with corruption, he will have to step aside — and he will do so voluntarily. We will issue a statement to that effect,” Mbalula said.
He added that if Malusi Gigaba submitted a formal communication before the end of the media briefing, the ANC would respond accordingly. “Malusi has appeared in court … but I do not have any letter indicating his intention to step aside,” he said.
Gigaba was added earlier this month as the fifth accused in a corruption case involving former Transnet executives. He voluntarily appeared in court and his case has now been combined with those of the other accused.
THABANG MAKWETLA STEPS ASIDE
Malusi Gigaba’s situation comes shortly after ANC NEC member Thabang Makwetla voluntarily stepped aside following his appearance at the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes Court. The ANC praised Makwetla’s decision as reflecting “exemplary discipline and political maturity”.
In a statement, ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said Makwetla had relinquished his roles as Chairperson of the NEC Subcommittee on Peace and Stability and as Convener of Deployees in Limpopo, in line with the party’s Constitution and resolutions of the 55th National Conference.
“The 55th National Conference reaffirmed that cadres of the ANC who are formally charged should not await instruction from the movement but must voluntarily step aside to protect the integrity and image of the organisation. Such conduct reflects a deep understanding of revolutionary morality, accountability, and the principle that leadership within the ANC must be beyond reproach,” she said.
