Pretoria - The ANC has vowed to monitor massive donations made out to its leaders who will be campaigning for the top positions within the party as it prepares for its elective conference in December.
The move is seen as a bid to avoid disparaging reports similar to the ones which characterised the “CR17” and “NDZ” campaigns of 2017.
The ANC also announced a total ban on members such as suspended secretary-general Ace Magashule and others facing criminal charges in the courts of law from contesting for positions.
This was announced by the ANC electoral committee chairperson Kgalema Motlanthe when he addressed the media yesterday.
He also disclosed the opening date for the nomination of the ANC top six and 80 members of the party’s national executive committee (NEC), the highest decision-making body between conferences.
Motlanthe outlined the party’s determination to ensure that the upcoming conference was not riddled with allegations of corruption and claims of nepotism, including the buying of votes.
The former president detailed a set of guidelines on how these eligible candidates should conduct themselves ahead of the conference, including allowing their rivals to campaign freely without any stumbling blocks.
Motlanthe said: “Members may report any infringement of these rules to the electoral committee or whistle-blowing centre that would be active from the beginning of nominations.
“The committee may refer the matter to an ANC disciplinary committee, and it could lead to the disqualification of a nominee.
“Any member involved in the prohibited activities in the sections of the rules may be suspended or expelled following a disciplinary process.
“Any candidate whose campaign supporters participate in such activities must condemn the actions of supporters and may be disqualified if they do not make a strong effort to end this behaviour.
“All candidates must agree to abide by these rules and to keep a clear record of all sources of donations in money or in kind, and all spending on their campaign.”
The full financial record of every campaign must be submitted to the electoral committee, which has the right to demand further particulars and to inspect bank statements of candidates, campaigns and campaign workers and to interview campaign organisers.
In addition, the electoral committee may order a full disclosure of all assets, properties, investments, donations and gifts of any member involved. This will require the full co-operation of the nominee.
The committee may also open a criminal or civil case.
Motlanthe was adamant that the new rules were adopted at the ANC’s NEC meeting in July and would be applicable at the upcoming conference.
He also announced conditions which barred Magashule and various party leaders in the nine provinces from contesting, saying those vying for top six and NEC positions must not have a pending criminal charge or conviction against them.
The party is also barring ANC members who were found guilty by its integrity commission and advised by the party to step aside.
While Motlanthe did not mention names, Magashule and others are among a list of ANC members charged with offences ranging from corruption and fraud to money laundering in different courts of the country.
Motlanthe said the ANC expected the highest ethical and moral standards from NEC leaders.
Any member may stand if active for at least 10 years, unless they have been found guilty of or charged with unethical or immoral conduct, any serious crime or corruption.
The rule applies also to members who have been charged with any criminal offences in cases that are still being heard, or where a judgment or sentence is being appealed.
Also included are those who have been found guilty by a disciplinary committee and had their membership suspended for any period in the past 10 years, and where a decision or appeal is pending.
He said the rules applied also to members temporarily suspended pending the outcome of the court or a disciplinary hearing, and whose cases the integrity commission had completed and submitted a report and recommendation of suspension of membership, or stepping aside.
Motlanthe said the electoral committee must use these rules to vet all nominees on the shortlist and exclude those affected.
However, he said if any of the excluded members were acquitted in the lead-up to the conference, they could be nominated from the floor during the conference.
He said such a member must be able to garner 25% of the vote for his or her name to be added to the list of candidates in the top six or added to a list of 200 people who will be elected to the 80-member NEC.
Nominations are due to open on September 7.
Pretoria News