ANC to develop accountability framework for public office bearers

The African National Congress (ANC) wants the incoming National Executive Committee (NEC) to develop an accountability framework for public office bearers. 

This is the recommendation by the party’s sub committee on legislature and governance.

Amid allegations of corruption at a number of state-owned entities and government departments, coupled with qualified audits and concerns of weak governance, the committee says the party needs to be able to ensure public representatives perform in their respective positions.

Referring to SOEs, committee member Parks Tau said: “We hold the political and executive authority accountable for ensuring that governance is taking place in an appropriate way.”

Tau said the same applies to all public representatives deployed by the party including Members of Parliament.

Fellow committee member Andries Nel said the party recognises the importance of parliament’s oversight role.

It comes as chairperson of the sub committee on organisational renewal Fikile Mbalula said they want to extend the party’s integrity committee’s powers.

He said when the committee finds a member has brought the party into disrepute, it should not have to ask the NEC before a member can appear before it.

“Now we are talking, we know that we are not in a space where we can do as we wish,” Mbalula explained. “There is integrity that must be enforced.”

Mbalula said the findings of the committee should be final and binding.