ANC defends list with ‘contaminated’ members

He says the members went through the party's internal disciplinary processes and had no adverse findings made against them.

Mbalula outlined the election committee processes in selecting candidates who can be nominated for parliament and legislative positions during a briefing at the party's  Luthuli House headquarters in Johannesburg on Monday.

The party’s list, which was leaked on Friday, has come under scrutiny, as it includes members implicated in corruption.

Mbalula told the media that the party's national executive committee deliberated over 16 candidates who were mentioned in a report compiled by the integrity commission.

These include former Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba, Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Zizi Kodwa, State Security Agency Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, and Deputy Water and Sanitation Minister David Mahlobo.

Mbalula said while the state capture report named 20 current or former NEC members, only six made it to the 2024 candidate list.

"In carrying out the mandate given by the special extended NEC, the ANC electoral committee was asked to provide a list of candidates appearing on the ANC candidate lists who appeared before the ANC integrity commission, and in respect of whom the commission submitted reports; and are named in the state capture commission report.

“A number of individuals who fall into the above categories were either not nominated as candidates or were found by the electoral committee to be ineligible due to having criminal records, stepping aside as a result of criminal charges, or being suspended pending ANC disciplinary processes.

“Of the persons named in the state capture commission report, only 20 are current or former NEC members and/or public representatives. Of these, only six appear on the ANC 2024 candidate lists," added Mbalula

Mbalula said their positions in government will be subject to review.

"The special NEC resolved that the above candidates should be allowed to stand as ANC candidates pending completion of their various outstanding appeal, review or disciplinary processes. Should they be elected, their positions as public representatives will be re-assessed based on the outcomes of these processes.”

ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa and National Chairperson Gwede Mantashe also had no adverse findings against them.

In Ramaphosa’s case, the committee investigated possible wrongdoing in relation to the theft of large amounts of foreign currency at his  Phala Phala farm in Limpopo.

Mantashe was cleared of corrupt allegations after controversial facilities management company Bosasa installed a security system at his home.

He also confirmed that most members who served in cabinet for a large part of the democratic dispensation will retire from active politics.

These include the Minister in the Presidency responsible for Women, Youth and Persons With Disabilities, Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma; Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan; Deputy Minister of Human Settlement, Water and Sanitation, Pam Tshwete; and Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Amos Masondo.

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