ANC’s new corruption rule: 10 senior members could be ‘on thin ice’

Cyril Ramaphosa has made it perfectly clear this week: Those in the ANC who are facing any criminal charges or serious allegations of corruption must now ‘step aside’ from their positions, or take themselves to the party’s Integrity Commission.

Ramaphosa takes a hardline stance against ‘criminal, corruption charges’

It’s an announcement which has divided factions of the party once more. There’s been a significant bit of resistance to Ramaphosa’s updated ‘tough stance’ on corruption – and that’s partly because it targets a number of big fish in the ANC pond.

We’ve gone through the ten most senior ANC members who have significant criminal charges – or historical convictions – against their names, making them prime candidates for the purge. Although there is a focus on cases of corruption, the president and the Committee will also take a dim view on other offences…

Which ANC members could be asked to step down?

Already on the chopping block:

• Andile Lungisa: The ANC Eastern Cape heavyweight is still fighting an assault conviction from 2016.
• Zandile Gumede: The disgraced ex-eThekwini Mayor has been placed on ‘special leave‘ pending corruption charges.
• Bongani Bongo: He has been told to vacate his position as an MP as part of the new corruption directives.

Charges still to go through court:

• Ace Magashule: The DA raised a criminal complaint with Hawks in May, regarding Ace’s involvement in an ‘asbestos’ deal. It’s also reported that the ANC Integrity Commission wants to speak with him privately on a separate matter of corruption.
• Thandi Modise: She is being privately prosecuted by advocate Gerrie Nel on charges of ‘animal cruelty’.
• Bathabile Dlamini: The former MP is facing a court case related to her knowledge of ‘corrupt activity’ within the ANC.
• Faith Muthambi: She is facing criminal charges for ‘interference’ at SABC

Historical offences:

• Tony Yengeni: His historical fraud charges and recent anti-Ramaphosa crusade make it difficult for Yengini to occupy any roles going forward.
• Malusi Gigaba: He’s faced numerous charges over the years, and a perjury case launched by the DA is yet to be fully resolved.
• And even Jacob Zuma: His return to public office seems unlikely, but his current situation with the ongoing ‘arms deal’ corruption case is likely to rule him out of any official ANC business soon – especially if he is convicted.