‘Individuals are to blame for the ANC’s crisis of integrity’

The ANC in the Eastern Cape says while it reaffirms the principle of “collective responsibility”, individual actions of leaders taint the good image of the organisation as a credible and trustworthy movement.

In a statement by provincial secretary Oscar Mabuyane today following a provincial executive committee meeting on Monday at the party headquarters at Canon James Calata House in King William’s Town, he said the meeting had been called to “frankly reflect” and make an assessment on the political state of the ANC following the recent local government elections.

Without naming any individuals, Mabuyane acknowledged that the integrity of the ANC was in crisis and that urgent introspection was needed.

“It is therefore against this particular backdrop that the provincial executive committee members appeal to those in leadership positions to decisively tap into their consciousness in order to redeem the credibility and integrity of the movement.

“The provincial committee believes that the ANC and the broader mass democratic movement must urgently engage in a robust introspection and courageously embark on bold strategies to accelerate organisational renewal,” Mabuyane said.

The provincial secretary also revealed that the committee had resolved to lobby for the convening of a national consultative conference composed of the cadres of the movement in the veterans, alliance and different sectors of society in the communities.

Mabuyane said the consultative conference must be seen as a moment of “self-reflection and self-correction” towards galvanising the ANC into a stronger liberation force of the people.

He said they also wanted matters of the leadership succession to be handled with maturity and discipline.

“In this regard, the provincial committee fully endorses the notion of outlawing factionalism and slates. It is the committee’s firm view that any leader of the ANC who has been reported to be part of secret meetings will be exposed and dealt with. The unity of the ANC in the province is sacrosanct,” Mabuyane said.