Mandla Msibi
The ANC’s leaders in Mpumalanga have come under criticism from party members who accuse them of influencing the national disciplinary committee to uphold the suspension of former provincial treasurer Mandla Msibi.
The critics claim this is being done to exclude Msibi from the regional elective conferences — which are expected to take place in September as the term of office of the sitting structures expired in June — and to stop him from standing as provincial chairperson in 2027.
In its latest confidential report released on July 22 — which was leaked — signed by acting chairperson Enver Surty, the national disciplinary committee confirmed the suspension imposed by the Mpumalanga disciplinary committee against Msibi, deeming it appropriate punishment for his actions on 8 January.
Msibi was found guilty of attempting to undermine the ANC’s anniversary celebrations at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit by organising a protest to pressure President Cyril Ramaphosa into addressing grievances before the annual commemoration, which this year took place on 13 January.
The provincial disciplinary committee found Msibi guilty of violating the ANC’s constitution by undermining a key party event in breach of his membership oath.
It said this brought the ANC into disrepute and prejudiced the integrity of the organisation and imposed a three-year suspension, with two years suspended.
Msibi appealed the punishment on 12 April, arguing that his suspension was unlawful, in violation of section 19 of the Constitution Act, and that the charges were driven by an ulterior motive on the part of the party’s leadership. He said it was done to bar him from participating in the 29 May general elections as well as regional and provincial elective conferences.
He claimed that there were errors on the charge sheet, rendering it “defective” and “unlawful”. He added that new charges of misconduct had been introduced to the sheet which had not been referred to in the initial notice to institute disciplinary proceedings.
The national disciplinary committee rejected the appeal and upheld the punishment, although it suspended part of it on condition that Msibi did not breach any provision of rule 25.17 of the ANC’s constitution again.
“The action of the appellant displayed an utter disregard for the organisation, its president and its code of conduct,” the committee wrote, adding that “major events of the ANC, such as January 8 celebrations, attract widespread media attention”.
“Had the march materialised, it would not only have seriously prejudiced the reputation of the organisation but could potentially have led to violent clashes with members and supporters in the stadium, resulting in damage to property, injury and loss of life,” it added.
It said the evidence of the provincial secretary showed that “the organisers, including the appellant, were defiant and not prepared to heed the call of ANC national and provincial leaders to review their resolution and call off the march”.
Msibi’s supporters told the Mail & Guardian that the committee’s decision was unfair and motivated by political considerations — stopping him from participating in the regional conferences at which they had planned to mobilise support for him to become the provincial chairperson.
“We have seen the play of things and we believe that this was a concerted effort to make sure they dismantle comrade Msibi by [current ANC Mpumalanga chairperson] comrade Mandla Ndlovu. He is aware that we were planning to have comrade Msibi as our leader come 2027,” said one source, who asked not to be named.
“This sanction is a plan to cover opportunities against our comrade — the next thing we will see is step aside; they will be telling us he cannot stand because of this.”
Another source said the suspension was “problematic” for Msibi who had actively campaigned for the ANC in the Mbombela region before the May election.
“The leadership saw how hard comrade Msibi worked during elections. This should’ve been reason enough to forgive him for what he had done, because the man loves the organisation and his acts were noble because we wanted recognition,” they said.
“Mpumalanga has been neglected by the ANC and that is why we requested that the president address us. We will mobilise against the conferences in his support, despite the factionalism that is taking place.”
This is not the first time Msibi has faced the national disciplinary committee. In 2021, he was ordered to step aside after being suspended from his position.
Msibi was charged alongside Anele Sonke Mnisi and Njabulo Mkhonto with with murder and attempted murder after the fatal shooting of Dingaan Ngwenya and Sindela Lubisi at the Coyotes Shisa Nyama restaurant in Mbombela on 22 August 2021.
In July 2017, Msibi was accused of smashing and vandalising a car belonging to a counsellor. In August 2017, he was accused of breaking into and trashing a house.
He also was accused of attempted murder and the assault of a person who became partially disabled. In 2018, there were allegations that he had retaliated against community members who accused him of corruption.
Despite this, Msibi was elected as the ANC treasurer in Mpumalanga at the 13th provincial congress in 2022.
ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula told a media conference on Monday that Msibi would remain a member of the ANC and would be “afforded an opportunity to reconcile himself with the strategic political line of the ANC”.
The party’s acting national spokesperson Zuko Godlimpi was not available for comment at the time of writing.