Historically the ANC was considered a party wherein discipline was a non-negotiable thing, and it was demanded from all of its members at all times, but in recent times, it seems principles have been thrown out of the window judging by some of the behavioural dynamics of certain comrades.
A senior ANC leader has been arrested for what you could call a desperate lack of discipline, drunk driving. ANC Chris Hani Regional Treasurer, Madoda Papiyana, is reportedly behind bars on what is a third drunk driving arrest in just under 2 years.
Papiyana is a close ally of Eastern Cape ANC provincial chairperson, Oscar Mabuyane, and by virtue of that a staunch supporter of President Cyril Ramaphosa. He was first arrested during the Easter of 2020 after he was found to have violated Covid-19 lockdown leveL 5 regulations, and was also found driving under the influence of alcohol.
At the time, the ANC was grappling with the tightly contested step aside resolution, which lucidly states that all members who are facing corruption and other serious charges should step aside.
And the Provincial Executive Committee resolved that he should step aside from all of his positions. He indeed obliged and withdrew from his position as the Chief Whip of the Chris Hani District Municipality as well as the regional treasurer. And he was subsequently subjected to disciplinary
However, to many people’s maniacal bewilderment, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) took a conscious decision to drop the charges against him, and he was quickly reinstated to his positions.
It remains unclear as to whether he would be forced to step aside again following his recent infringement, but what is quite clear for all to see is that Papiyana is a recalcitrant repetitive law-breaker and the ANC may need to act against him for once for and for all because this level of indiscipline cannot be tolerated.
What do you make of Papiyana’s arrest. Do you think the party should enforce more discipline against him?
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