ANC WELCOMES THE OUTCOME OF THE PROVINCIAL DISCIPLINARY HEARING ON TLOKWE COUNCILLORS
The African National Congress in the North West province welcomes the outcome of the Provincial Disciplinary Committee (PDC) on Tlokwe Fourteen (14) Councillors who conspired with the opposition to remove the Mayor of Tlokwe Municipality, in an irregular Council meeting held, yesterday, 02 July 2013 (see below).
These Councillors action is contrary to the ANC Constitution code of conduct, as contained in Rule 25 of the ANC Constitution.
The 53rd National Conference of the ANC directed all members of the ANC to conduct themselves in keeping with the provisions of the ANC Constitution.
As the ANC, we believe the outcome of this disciplinary hearing will serve as a learning curve to comrades who seek to undermine organisational processes and the ANC. The ANC has adopted a zero tolerance to ill-discipline from its members and will do everything possible to restore the dignity, image and integrity of the ANC.
We appeal to affected comrades involved in the Tlokwe disciplinary process to respect the decision of the PDC and follow all the disciplinary processes as contained in the ANC Constitution.
The ANC will therefore in due course fill the vacancies left by the councillors affected by the outcome of the Disciplinary hearing.
Statement issued by Gordon Kegakilwe, ANC North West Acting Provincial Secretary, July 3 2013
OUTCOME OF THE NORTH WEST PROVINCIAL DISCIPLINARY HEARING OF TLOKWE COUNCILLORS
This press conference is convened by the Provincial Disciplinary Committee of the ANC to communicate the outcome of the Disciplinary hearing held on the 02nd July 2013 on the matter between the ANC NW (PWC) and fourteen comrades (Respondents).
The PWC of the ANC NW who is the Applicant in this regard preferred charges against 16 members of the ANC who are Councillors at the Tlokwe Local Municipality (Respondents), for violation of the Constitution of the ANC as contained under Rule 25.
The charged Comrades received the notice of charges preferred against them in line with the Constitution of the ANC. The members were charged with 4 and 2 counts of misconduct respectively.
The charged members were implicated on the matter of the removal of the Mayor preferred by the ANC. The said Executive Mayor of the Tlokwe Local Municipality was removed in November 2012 and replaced by the DA Councillor, an official opposition to the ANC in this Council. Members were supposed to have known that such conduct was not authorized either by the PWC or NWC of the ANC. This conduct which brought the organization into disrepute, or which manifests a flagrant violation of the moral integrity expected of members and public representatives coupled with failure on the part of the Respondent to adhere to a directive to appoint the Municipal Manager of the City of Tlokwe Local Municipality.
It is common practice and culture in the ANC that the Mayoral appointments and removal thereof are exclusive domain of the higher structures and both the processes are properly communicated to Councillors for implementation at municipalities. The removal took place despite the intervention by the ANC to prevent such ill-discipline by Councillors of the ANC in Tlokwe Local Municipality.
The NEC / PEC deliberated on the conduct of some Councillors of the Tlokwe Local Municipality and agreed that the councilors of the ANC must serve and protect the Constitution, rules, regulations and culture of the ANC.
The said Comrade Councillors refused to respect the ANC and continued to bring the organization into disrepute and it is in this context that the Applicant deemed it fit to prefer charges against them. The 14 Respondents were not present and only two attended the hearing.
After deliberation with the representative of the said charged Councillors, he withdrew his formal representation for them but only represented two members (Respondents) who pleaded guilty to charges preferred against them.
The PDC reprimanded the two Councillors who attended and pleaded guilty and concluded to provide guidance to the two members who were remorseful for their actions.
The remaining 14 Councillors did not arrive as indicated. Evidence was only obtained from one ANC member who is the Acting Provincial Secretary, and the decision of the PDC was based on information at their disposal including the evidence given.
The PDC finally found all 14 Councillors of the Tlokwe Local Municipality who are ANC members, guilty of acting contrary to the directives of the ANC and in violating the ANC Constitution as amended and adopted in 2012 at the National Conference.
Expulsion of the 14 Comrades who are Councillors of the ANC in the Tlokwe Local Municipality was found suitable under the given circumstances and the continuing disrespect by the Comrades. Comrades are expected to respect the decision of the PDC of the ANC NW and may appeal against the decision of the NDCA as provided for within the Constitution of the ANC.
The expelled Respondents will be removed as Councillors in line with the Electoral Act of IEC with immediate effect.
Issued by ANC North West Provincial Disciplinary Committee (PDC), July 3 2013
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