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The Western Cape ANC’s local government campaign – boosted by President Jacob Zuma’s presence last week – is unravelling amid factional tension which came to the fore with Marius Fransman appearing with Zuma on stage.
It remains unclear why Fransman, who was asked to step aside amid a sexual harassment scandal earlier this year, returned at such a high profile public event as Zuma was campaigning in Cape Town.
Contradictory messages were sent out by the ANC.
While it was reported that party elections head Nomvula Mokonyane insisted Fransman was cleared, ANC national spokesperson Zizi Kodwa said disciplinary proceedings were still pending.
On Saturday, acting ANC provincial chairperson Khaya Magaxa told City Press that the provincial leadership knew nothing of “that development” to which Mokonyane referred, adding the national ANC office was in charge of it.
“My understanding is that the issue is still being processed. Anything that happens now, and anyone that does anything else, is jumping the gun,” said Magaxa.
“Zizi made a statement that the ANC has not taken a decision and any other person, including an official, communicating anything else is wrong. That’s not how the ANC works.”
But his provincial colleague Lulama Mvimbi, who is coordinating the ANC’s provincial election campaign, said: “There is nothing that prevents him from campaigning, according to who?”
Fransman’s appearance at Zuma’s side last week ripped open factional lines which the Western Cape ANC had tried to smooth over for a long time.
Provincial insiders told City Press that Mokonyane was central in getting Fransman to accompany Zuma and ANC’s Cape Town mayoral candidate Xolani Sotashe.
Officially, Fransman said he was there to support Sotashe.
Fransman is known to be close to Zuma; the party disciplinarian is secretary-general Gwede Mantashe.
Two weeks ago, Mantashe said Fransman would face the ANC’s national disciplinary committee following a recommendation made by its integrity commission.
Speaking to News24 today, Mantashe tried to clear up the confusion.
“Marius was asked to step aside after [a] national working committee [meeting], so now the integrity commission has completed its work, it has recommended the case be given to the disciplinary committee. He hasn’t appeared before the committee yet. Until then, he can’t return to his position,” Mantashe said.
He also said Zuma “cannot endorse Fransman”.
“There is no decision to reinstate him to the position.”
In a prepared speech sent to the media, Fransman told an ANC rally in Citrusdal on Saturday: “I welcome the acknowledgement by the ANC on Thursday 21st July 2016 that I resume my duties and responsibilities as Western Cape ANC leader.
“I note the enforced confusion about my status from media reports on adverse statements. There is no confusion, I am the Western Cape ANC leader.”
Fransman said he never stopped being the Western Cape ANC leader since he was elected.
He said he voluntarily stepped aside to allow the integrity commission to conclude its work without interference and was now assuming his duties and responsibilities “at the conclusion of that process”.
“My prolonged absence was only the result of a poorly managed internal process,” he added.
Fransman blamed “media hounds” and frightened opponents within the ANC and opposition parties for trying to sidetrack him.
“It is indeed deplorable that a reputation can be subverted by unsubstantiated claims, even in the face of indisputable evidence,” he said.
“Be advised that I will indeed return to meet my detractors head-on with irrefutable facts.”
