Masina reprimanded by ANC, Twitter account suspended
The African National Congress (ANC) has reprimanded Ekurhuleni Mayor Mzwandile Masina after he expressed support for Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema on Twitter.
Masina expressed support for nationalisation and dared his party to fire him for his “radical views”.
His Twitter accounts has since been deactivated.
Malema, who is seen as a close ally of the Ekurhuleni mayor, subsequently alluded on Twitter that Masina’s account was suspended by the ANC.
"I know you belong to them Zwai but never trust these ANC people, young independent thinkers have always threatened them. Never be discouraged black child," reads Malema's tweet.
ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe said Masina's tweets on the nationalisation of the economy falls outside the party's policy position.
"While the views were expressed on a personal account, it stands to confuse our constituency and members as to what the ANC stands for. It is expected of ANC leaders to act with care and be cautious at all times on matters of policy.
"Leaders of the ANC feed into the narrative of policy uncertainty when they publicly canvas positions outside the formal structures. We therefore encourage members of the ANC to exercise their freedom of speech within the confines of ANC structures.”
Mabe said the party is confident it is on the right path to bring down the high levels of inequality, poverty and unemployment in South Africa.