The African National Congress (ANC) in KwaZulu-Natal has announced the immediate suspension and recall of a ward councillor in the Mandeni Local Municipality, following serious allegations of gross misconduct, including a brutal assault linked to a community member’s death and separate rape accusations.
The party’s provincial spokesperson, Fanle Sibisi, confirmed the decisive action against the Ward 17 councillor, stating the move was a direct response to the severity of the charges. The councillor is accused of violently assaulting a local resident, who subsequently disappeared and was later found deceased. He also faces two additional, separate allegations of rape.
In an interview, Sibisi stated the ANC was acting swiftly to address the matter and distance the organization from the alleged actions of its deployed member. “The ANC does not agree with any of these actions,” Sibisi said. “If you transgress the constitution of the ANC, the ANC must act and we are acting within our constitution.”
The status of the councellor has been clarified as summarily suspended from the party. He will face internal disciplinary processes, and the ANC has initiated steps to have him officially recalled from his position in the municipal council. Sibisi reported that the individual has not contested the party’s decision.
The spokesperson acknowledged the damage such incidents cause to the party’s reputation, especially as it prepares for the upcoming local government elections. Sibisi expressed the organization’s deep concern over the allegations but emphasized its commitment to protecting communities.
“We are worried. Hence the ANC has made it sure that it does not waste time in acting on this particular matter,” he said. “We can assure our community that in no space of time we will conclude this matter because it’s a matter that seems to be straightforward.”
When questioned on how the party ensures it selects representatives of high moral standing, Sibisi pointed to ongoing improvements in the ANC’s deployment policy. He stated the party believes in ethical leadership but must recall and apologize for fielding unsuitable candidates when they misbehave.
“The ANC has not sent anybody to commit any wrong,” Sibisi said. “People that we are trusted and entrusted with responsibility, when they misbehave, we have a responsibility as the ANC to protect the community from those people by removing those people.”
The party has vowed to handle the internal disciplinary proceedings with speed and to cooperate fully with any parallel law enforcement investigations into the grave allegations.
