The African National Congress will not punish the ”unacceptable behaviour” of its members after former deputy president Jacob Zuma’s appearance in the Durban Magistrate’s Court, but warned that those caught misbehaving in future will be disciplined.
”No, we don’t know them [the perpetrators], but we’ve sent out a statement that anybody caught doing this in future will be disciplined,” ANC spokesperson Smuts Ngonyama said on Monday.
Following the appearance of Zuma on corruption charges on Tuesday last week, some party members burnt ANC T-shirts, shouted insults about President Thabo Mbeki and shouted down ANC KwaZulu-Natal provincial chairperson S’bu Ndebele.
”The organisation takes strong exception to such conduct,” Ngonyama said.
The incidents followed Zuma’s second appearance on Tuesday in connection with two corruption charges linked to his relationship with his convicted former financial adviser, Schabir Shaik.
Following his appearance, Zuma told the crowd that he would reveal the reasons for his implication in ”corruption” after his court battle.
Ngonyama said the ANC’s national working committee reaffirmed the spirit and letter of a national executive committee (NEC) decision of September 9, which called for unity and cohesion within the organisation and respect for the law and state institutions.
”In line with this decision, no member of the ANC should act to undermine the process initiated by the president and deputy president to respond substantively to these current developments,” he said.
While the NEC has processes to deal with members’ concerns and frustrations, Ngonyama said the ANC will not tolerate actions that bring the organisation into disrepute.
”The ANC once again calls on all its members to act responsibly and with integrity … and to desist from any activity that brings the party into disrepute.” — Sapa