Mbalula says no support for ANC members facing corruption allegations

African National Congress (ANC) secretary general Fikile Mbalula said on Thursday that there will be no support for members of the ANC who face allegations of corruption, announcing that the party will follow suit with lifestyle audits for all its members in leadership positions.

Speaking in Johannesburg, where he was communicating the outcomes of the party's National Working Committee (NWC) meeting and providing an update on key political developments, Mbalula said government must urgently make public the outcome of the lifestyle audits for Cabinet Ministers.

Mbalula said the ANC reiterated its support for the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, also noting the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) report on Tembisa Hospital, which he said had laid bare disturbing patterns of procurement irregularities and criminality.

"We know that names of individuals may arise in testimony or submissions, we emphasise that all those mentioned will have the right to reply and an opportunity to clear their names in line with our constitutional values of fairness and justice," he said.

The SIU report revealed that syndicates were implicated in the coordinated looting of hospital funds, including the Maumela Syndicate, which is linked to Hangwani Morgan Maumela, who is the nephew of President Cyril Ramaphosa through a previous marriage.

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has alluded to allegations that some of these stolen funds were used in the CR17 election campaign and in the election budgets of the ANC.

"Until this question is answered, the looting of hospitals cannot be seen in isolation from the political machinery that sustains the ruling party's grip on power," said the EFF.

Mbalula said his party would continue supporting law enforcement agencies and Parliament in ensuring that those implicated faced the full might of the law.

He assured that once a credible institution was appointed to undertake the lifestyle audits, the party would make the findings public.

He said these audits would be undertaken for any leader of the ANC, in any position of responsibility, and not only by those serving in government.

Mbalula said all Cabinet Ministers have undergone lifestyle audits and said the ANC supported the arrests of anyone found guilty.

"We state without hesitation, no member of the ANC has ever been given a mandate to be corrupt. Any member who engages in corruption stands alone, outside the traditions, values and discipline of the ANC," he said.

He said corruption was treason against South Africans and undermined service delivery while discrediting sacrifices that gave birth to the country's democracy.

He stated that no ANC member implicated in corrupt activities, or appearing in court, would be supported by other party members.

"There will be no support in t-shirts and ANC colours to any member who is facing this particular challenge. They must do so on their own and respect the standing of the ANC in society, and they must do so in their own name and right.

"We will never defend corruption; we will expose it, confront it, and defeat it. Those who commit acts of corruption cannot hide behind the ANC, cannot drag our name into their crimes, and cannot claim legitimacy from the movement. The ANC will not sink with those who choose the path of corruption. Those who betrayed the people for personal gains, will be isolated," Mbalula said.

He said if any party member was convicted, they would be disciplined and removed from the party's membership.