Leadership of the ANC Western Cape 

25 July 2016

I have answered the call of the ANC, structures on the ground in the Western Cape, and sectors in our society, on July 21, in the presence of the president of the ANC, and of Western Cape ANC officials, that I resume my duties and responsibilities as the duly elected ANC Western Cape leader, by actively participating in canvassing events since Thursday last.

I was backed in my efforts by enormous grass roots support.

I am freshly arrived from the West Coast where I have supported the Cederberg mayoral candidate, and the Vanrhynsdorp ward candidate – the provincial Popcru chair, before hundreds of supporters.

Having expended every possible comradely option to ensure that the time honoured ANC ethos is preserved and promoted in the ongoing consideration of an harassment acusal against me, a media statement earlier today, by Secretary General Gwede Mantashe, forced me to defer to the injunction of my legal team to ensure compliance by approaching the Western Cape High Court today to ensure that I receive the Integrity Commission report and to secure my constitutional rights to fair procedure.

Contrary to the statement by the SG, I am disciplined. I am loyal. The internal procedures in my matter are not, in fact, swift; nor are the procedures attuned to ANC principles of engagement. I have not yet received any formal communication in this matter from the SG, and am forced to rely on sporadic, unclear, often contradictory media snippets.

It is outrageous that the SG should publicly attack and question the president and the head of elections days before a critical election. The office of the president deserves respect.

Contrary to strict ANC organisational protocols, the SG has consistently communicated mostly by media reports; the SG has consistently refrained from answering my numerous letters; the SG has consistently refused to let me meet with senior officials; the SG has consistently denied the authenticity of the IC report leaked to City Press, even though the editor insists that an “extensive interview” with the SG confirms the authenticity of the report – which I still have not received.

Let me be very clear: I have not been suspended.

I am elected by a properly constituted conference and have both the duty and the right to campaign for the benefit of the ANC, and so also to demonstrate and promote my own political, leadership, and professional standing. The denial of my rights and privileges continues to increasingly harm my image and standing, as the election date draws ever nearer.

While this distraction about my office and the IC report is now handled by legal professionals, I will continue to ensure that ANC, the only organisation that can be trusted with advancing our people, returns to as many local governments as possible on August 3.

We must now unite and consolidate and make sure that the ANC is enlivened by our actions and enthusiasm in the Western Cape. I call on all activists, volunteers and members, and all my constituents, to ensure that the Western Cape is liberated from the challenges of inequality and poverty.

Issued by Marius Fransman, Chairperson, ANC Western Cape, 25 July 2016