THE ANC in the Ekurhuleni region has accepted chairperson Mzwandile Masina’s withdrawal of his resignation after he had offered to resign as the mayor of the City of Ekurhuleni, in a Twitter storm on Monday night.
A statement by the Regional Executive Committee (REC), the highest decision-making body between conferences in the region, said Masina remained the chairperson of the region.
“During the REC meeting, the Regional Chairperson (Masina) expressed his intention to resign as the executive mayor of the City of Ekurhuleni. The REC collectively rejected the resignation after a robust discussion on the matter,” read the statement .
“It was agreed that such a decision would reverse the good work of the coalition government in the City of Ekurhuleni and destabilize the political environment in the Region.”
The REC also took stock of the concerted efforts by certain media houses to project the views of the Regional Chairperson as if they are anti-ANC policy positions.
“This attitude seeks to isolate the Regional Chairperson and to suffocate the transformation debate. The REC further discouraged the unacceptable conduct of leaking of REC discussions. As such, a strong warning was issued to all REC members to respect and protect all organisational and leadership discussions. The Special REC Meeting also re-affirmed the centrality of our focus to the call for unity and renewal,” the REC said.
“Furthermore, the REC agreed that structures of the ANC must prepare accordingly for the National General Council (NGC) wherein the assessment of the extent to which resolutions are being implemented will be undertaken. The REC remains confident that the traditions, principles and practices that have ensured the existence of the ANC beyond a century, should at all times be respected and protected. The REC, under the capable leadership of the Chairperson remain committed to the values, ideals and discipline of the ANC.”
Masina got hot under the collar when the national ANC leadership distanced itself from his tweet in which he supported EFF leader Julius Malema’s call for nationalization of the” commanding heights” of the economy.
The ANC said Masina’s statement on nationalization of the economy fell outside the confines of the party’s policy position.
Masina earlier tweeted:
“I can be removed tomorrow as Mayor I’ll accept it without hesitation. I (am) not a coward. Im ready @myanc I won’t ask you why. What I won’t do is be friends of WMC (white monopoly capital).”
(Compiled by Inside Politics staff)
