Deputy President Jacob Zuma has held meetings with ANC Women’s League President Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, but has yet to resolve outstanding problems, according to ANC representative Smuts Ngonyama.
Zuma has been mandated by the ANC’s national executive committee to deal with Madikizela-Mandela’s absenteeism from Parliament, her snubbing of its ethics committee and ”broader issues relating to her situation”, according to ANC chief whip Nathi Nhleko.
Asked for an update on the ANC’s bid to resolve the situation, Ngonyama told Sapa on Wednesday: ”The matter is being handled by the deputy president. He has held meetings with Comrade Winnie.” On the reason for the delays in resolving the situation, he said many people had raised concerns about the length of time it was taking
Ngonyama did not know when Zuma’s report would be completed.
Madikizela-Mandela was on Tuesday found guilty by Parliament’s ethics committee of failing to disclose her financial interests in the register of members’ interests.
The committee is constrained by its rules on what action it may take against an MP who is found guilty of contravening the Code of Conduct.
It recommended that she be severely reprimanded by National Assembly Speaker Dr Frene Ginwala in the House, as well as a fine totalling 15 days of her salary.
An official announcement will be made on Thursday morning when the committee meets.
Ethics committee chairman Luwellyn Landers (ANC) has threatened to investigate who leaked confidential information about the meeting to Sapa, ahead of Madikizela-Mandela being officially informed of the action against her.
Madikizela-Mandela’s office said on Wednesday the ANCWL’s president was still not available for comment.
She and co-accused Addy Moolman are standing trial on fraud and theft charges totalling almost R1-million. Their case in the Pretoria High Court was postponed last month to October 14. – Sapa