Support for a third term for President Thabo Mbeki has not cost South African National Civics Organisation (Sanco) leader Mlungisi Hlongwane his job, the organisation said on Monday.
National executive committee (NEC) member Donovan Williams, speaking on behalf of the organisation’s treasurer, Susan Shabangu, the Deputy Minister of Safety and Security, said a Business Day report on Monday — to the effect that Hlongwane and Sanco deputy general secretary Master Mahlobogoane had been suspended by the NEC at the weekend — was wrong.
The paper said the duo were suspended after Hlongwane, also a businessman and mayor of Sedibeng on the Vaal, called for Mbeki to serve a third term as head of state.
Sanco Gauteng provincial secretary Toenka Matile told the paper Hlongwane had been suspended at a meeting in Polokwane on Sunday of seven of the nine provinces.
The move against him came ”for dividing the organisation, lying to the nation and making proposals that have not been discussed by Sanco”, said Matile.
But Williams said only a NEC meeting that meets a constitutional quorum can suspend the two. Sunday’s event was an attempt at holding a NEC meeting, but several NEC members, himself included, were not invited.
”I only heard about this through the grapevine after an office-bearers’ meeting,” Williams said.
He added that there are constitutional structures, such as the office-bearers’ meeting and a properly constituted NEC meeting, where those disgruntled with Hlongwane can put charges.
The NEC not only includes provincial delegates but also the national office-bearers.
”The outcome of the supposed meeting is now clear. It was a few individuals who were out to do a hatchet job. I don’t expect leaders to behave in this way. This is very disheartening.”
Williams ascribed the situation to a jockeying for position within the organisation before its upcoming national conference. He said this conference was scheduled for this month but had to be delayed until all provinces had held their conferences.
The Western and Eastern Cape will meet in mid-July, meaning a national conference is likely by August or September.
Williams added that there will be an office-bearers’ meeting on Tuesday and a NEC meeting at a later date.
Anyone who wants Hlongwane and Mahlobogoane suspended or disciplined can there provide reasons for this.
Hlongwane told South African Broadcasting Corporation radio on Sunday night that at least six provinces did not know about the meeting that suspended him.
”We are going to hold a national office-bearers’ meeting on Tuesday.
”We will then convene a special [meeting of the] national executive committee of Sanco which will be constituted [properly] and will take the necessary disciplinary steps against the people who brought this organisation into disrepute,” Hlongwane said.
Hlongwane would not comment further on the matter on Monday, referring queries to Shabangu, who referred them to Williams. — Sapa