ANC branches condemn MPs who voted for motion

At least 30 MPs from the ruling party's benches voted in favour of the motion of no confidence in the president last week. 

The ANC in Limpopo and Mpumalanga's provincial working committees held a joint meeting recently - ahead of the governing party's 54th national conference.

In a joint statement, the branches say the meeting condemned the action of MPs who voted with the opposition. 

"The meeting resolved that the organisation must not engage in a witch-hunt against the comrades who voted with the opposition but the ANC must engage with all its members and deployees to restore organisational discipline."

It further states the ANC must remove the Guptas from influencing government decisions. 

"The organisation must take its rightful position in governing the country without interference by those who were not elected by our people."

Members of the provincial working committees had also discussed the leadership battle facing the ANC. 

They believe a consensus must be reached on this issue. 

The provincial branches also took issue with those who are accepting nominations for presidency, before nominations officially open in September.

Deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa, former AU leader Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, Minister Lindiwe Sisulu as well as minister in the Presidency Jeff Radebe have already thrown their names in the hat. 

Meanwhile, the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State have also joined the chorus of voices condemning the actions of MPs who failed to tow the party line. 

Speaking at a joint media briefing with ANC leadership from the Free State in Durban this afternoon, KZN ANC chairperson Sihle Zikalala says they will continue to put pressure on national leadership to discipline MPs who voted against the president.

Zikalala says those members are trying to reinstall divisions in the party.