Johnathan Paoli
The ruling party has disqualified four of its members implicated in State Capture from its public representatives list, while retaining other implicated members.
In a briefing at Luthuli House in Johannesburg on Friday, the ANC National Spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said the decisions relating to the nomination of candidates was done on a case-by-case basis and that some had been cleared by the committee while others had failed to be cleared.
This follows the appearance of more than 90 party members before the ANC’s Integrity Committee on charges relating to the State Capture commission report.
Bhengu-Motsiri said that it remained vital to appreciate the difference between being implicated in a commission report and being found guilty in a court of law; however she highlighted the party’s dedication to improving oversight and ethics within its ranks.
“Of course, public representatives, leaders of the ANC have a much bigger moral obligation to take the issue, any allegation as seriously as possible when people are implicated, which is why we are strengthening these oversight institutions which are meant to assist us with ethics and integrity management within the organisation,” she said.
The party said it finalised its national and provincial candidate list after a rigorous process, representing a diverse mix of individuals aligned with the ANC manifesto, emphasising nonracial and nonsexist principles; and that young leaders are stepping into the national political arena, bringing their skills, integrity, and experience to serve at both provincial and national government levels.
However, a copy of the candidate list was leaked on to social media on Friday night, with the ruling party expressing concern at the unauthorised sharing of confidential details of the candidates.
“We have noted with concern that ANC candidate lists that appear to emanate from the IEC online candidate nomination system are now circulating on social media. We have conveyed our concerns to the IEC about this unauthorised release of personal information in potential contravention of the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA),” the party said.
Deputy Chief at the IEC Masego Shiburi said the leaking of ANC candidates list was from one of its employees, the matter is regrettable and an internal inquiry has since been instituted.
Meanwhile, the ANC updated the media on the candidate selection process and said as the leader of society at the heart of the country’s 30-year democracy, it has brought transformation and its selection process was proof of its commitment to meeting the demands of the people.
Bhengu-Motsiri said the Electoral Committee (EC) received 2457 candidates nominated for national Parliament, with 31 members having declined nomination.
The spokesperson said 284 candidates were interviewed by the EC and that of the final lists submitted; 52.5% are women, an increase of youth representation to 17%, and the list ensured the deliberate inclusion of a diversity of sectors including persons with disability, traditional leaders, alliance partners and LGBTQI+ persons.
Speaking on the declined nominations, she praised the retirement of many veterans and said: “Among those are comrades who have served the movement admirably for decades and to whom we owe a sincere debt of gratitude for their contribution to shaping the first 30 years of South African democracy.”
The criteria for candidates to qualify for nominations consisted of a comprehensive set of requirements ensuring their suitability and commitment to the ANC’s values and goals.
“To qualify, candidates preferably possessed post-matric qualifications or demonstrated capacity, experience, education, or expertise conducive to making constructive contributions within the relevant legislature or executive,” Bhengu-Motsiri said.
The ruling party said that despite the premature release of information, it would proceed with its planned media briefing and official release of its candidate list for public scrutiny on Monday.
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