ANC NWC reaffirms support for step-aside policy

The ANC’s National Working Committee (NWC) is backing the implementation of the step-aside resolution and has resolved that all members facing serious charges, including corruption must temporarily vacate their posts, or face suspension.

The ANC NWC met on Monday, 3 May 2021 and received reports from officials on the progress made in the implementation of decisions, by the National Executive Committee (NEC), the party’s highest decision-making body.

“The NWC reaffirmed the decision of the NEC on 26 – 29 March 2021 that all members who have been charged with corruption or other serious crimes must step aside within 30 days, failing which they should be suspended in terms of Rule 25.70 of the ANC Constitution,” the party said in a statement.

The ANC Constitution states that:

“Where a public representative, office-bearer or member has been indicted to appear in a court of law on any charge, the Secretary General or Provincial Secretary, acting on the authority of the NEC, the NWC, the PEC or the PWC, if satisfied that the temporary suspension of such public representative, office-bearer or member would be in the best interest of the Organisation, may suspend such public representative, elected office-bearer or member and impose terms and conditions to regulate their participation and conduct during the suspension.”

ANC NWC receives reports on those stepping aside

The various ANC provincial secretaries had until mid-April to submit the lists of names of people who were expected to step aside by Friday, 30 April 2021. At the time, the ANC said there was still some work to be done pertaining to the implementation of the resolution.

“The NWC received reports from provinces on members who have been charged with corruption or other serious crimes, the status of their matters, whether the affected members have been informed of the decision of the NEC, and whether they have stepped aside,” the ANC said.

“The NWC also received a report from the National Officials, through a team lead by the Treasurer General, on proposed terms and conditions regulating the participation and conduct of members during the period that they step aside voluntarily”

African National Congress (ANC)

The NWC has instructed that the necessary letters be written to the affected members implementing the step-aside policy (and suspension) and outlining the terms and conditions regulating their participation and conduct during the suspension.