ANC NEC meeting Masina

Image via: flickr

ANC NEC meeting: Masina calls for corrupt individuals to step aside

Mzwandile Masina, who picketed outside the Saint George Hotel on Saturday said everyone who has a matter before the court should step aside.

ANC NEC meeting Masina

Image via: flickr

Executive Mayor of the City of Ekurhuleni Mzwandile Masina has held a picket outside the Saint Georges Hotel, where under normal circumstances, the African National Congress (ANC) National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting would be held. The three-day event this weekend will most likely discuss the issues of corruption that have been ravaging through the country.

Standing outside the hotel, Masina said he was there to call on all ANC members, who are facing corruption charges, to step aside. 

‘THINK ABOUT THE ANC, NOT THE INDIVIDUALS’ – MASINA  

In an interview with SABC journalists, Masina said the party should be put before individuals.

“The NEC is currently sitting, and we are urging our leaders, all of them with the greatest of humility, to think about the ANC, not about individuals who are involved in corruption,” he said.

“Everyone who has a matter before the court must step aside,” he added.

When asked about President Cyril Ramaphosa by SABC political reporter Samkelo Maseko, Masina said that if there is a matter before the court that involves the president, then he should step aside. 

Masina held a placard in his hands saying; “Corrupt officials must step aside until they are cleared. Another placard read; “ANC members did not send deployees to steal in government”. 

“It’s not about individuals, it’s about everyone who’s before the court. We are calling on the leadership to take decisive and uniting steps,” he said.  

He maintained that if individuals are saved, the ANC will perish. He said the NEC is taking place so that the traditions of the party may be restored. 

RAMAPHOSA SENDS OUT LETTER AND GETS A REPLY 

President Cyril Ramaphosa released a letter addressing the ANC, saying that it must come to terms with being accused number one regarding corruption. Since then, the president has received a fair amount of flak. Former president Jacob Zuma responded to the letter on Friday 28 August saying that it wasn’t right for Ramaphosa to accuse the party and its members of corruption. 

“To stand in public and say the ANC must bury its head in shame is a devastating statement to make. Your letter is a diversion and merely serves as a PR exercise to save your own skin. By accusing the whole ANC of corruption for the acts of a few, you betray all the people who assembled to create the party in 1912,” he said. 

“It’s unforgivable to label our rank and file members as criminals for crimes you and those with whom you serve in the structures of state are accused of. Your letter is rather low and disappointing, and it lends credence to the suggestion you work for white monopoly capital,” he added. 

Masina, on Saturday during his picket, said; “I can only comment on the letter that was sent to us. As members of the ANC, it has triggered me to come here and say not in our name. We can’t be called to stand accused as accused number one in court when we don’t speak out because those who have done wrong, the ANC has been able to resolve on how we should deal with it. 

“When your matter is in court, related to corruption, you must step aside until such time you are cleared,” he added.