Malusi Gigaba and Senzo Mchunu face disciplinary action over controversial statements

The African National Congress (ANC) is set to take disciplinary action against two of its senior members, Malusi Gigaba and Senzo Mchunu, following their recent remarks that the party claims undermine its unity and operational integrity.

The decision to pursue actions against the two was announced through a statement released on Monday night by Mahlengi Bhengu, the National Spokesperson for the ANC.

Bhengu asserted that both Gigaba and Mchunu acted outside the sanctioned organisational structures, making statements that deliberately disparaged the ANC.

"There should be no doubt we reject the views of any intimate structure of the movement and must be seen as an opportunistic assault on the collective image, credibility, and cohesion of the African National Congress," Bhengu said.

This controversy was ignited after former Minister Gigaba remarked at a ceremonial unveiling of a tombstone for late struggle stalwart Nokuhamba Nyawo in Ngwavuma, northern KwaZulu-Natal.

He warned that “the ANC will be history” if it fails to secure victory in upcoming local government elections. Gigaba expressed concern over the party’s internal divisions, stating, “We are preoccupied with our little corners, our little groupings. There doesn’t seem to exist the possibility for us to get up briefly from these little groupings, so that we can now discuss what is ... in the best interest of our country, of our movement, of our people.”

The ANC highlighted the significance of maintaining its integrity as a "revolutionary movement," which operates under the principles of democratic centralism and internal discipline.

Bhengu articulated the detrimental implications of Gigaba and Mchunu’s statements, indicating that such remarks could discredit the party and create confusion among its ranks.

“Their statements sow discord and confusion and weaken the people's confidence in their movement. No disciplined comrade would out of their own volition make statements that embolden forces that have long sought to reverse the gains of our revolution,” she stated firmly.

In the wake of this controversy, the ANC has reiterated that it is the constitutional prerogative of the Secretary-General to govern internal communications, an authority that extends to the National Spokesperson for all operational functions.

The party aims to address what it calls “a breach of established communication protocols” and has resolved that no one shall be exempt from accountability within the organisation.

IOL