African National Congress (ANC) Chief Whip, Pemmy Majodina, has announced her intention to draft a report to be submitted to the party’s Secretary-General, Fikile Mbalula, urging action against Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth, and Persons with Disabilities, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. This move comes after Dlamini-Zuma was conspicuously absent during a crucial parliamentary vote in Cape Town City Hall, where MPs decided on the removal of Busisiwe Mkhwebane from her position as the country’s public protector.
The outcome of the vote saw 318 MPs in favor of Mkhwebane’s removal, with 43 MPs voting against it. Prior to the proceedings, Chief Whip Majodina stressed the importance of party unity, stating that all ANC MPs were expected to adhere to the party line and vote for Mkhwebane’s removal. She made it clear that any ANC member who voted against the party’s stance would face consequences, including potential expulsion.
However, what raised eyebrows and surprised both Majodina and the nation was Minister Dlamini-Zuma’s unexplained absence from the crucial vote. According to Majodina, Dlamini-Zuma neither excused herself from the meeting nor provided any prior notification. This absence left Chief Whip Majodina puzzled, as she was unaware of Dlamini-Zuma’s whereabouts, a situation that she found unusual.
In response to this unexpected turn of events, Chief Whip Majodina announced her intention to compile a report and submit it to the office of the Secretary-General, Fikile Mbalula. Majodina emphasized the need for swift action, stating, “It’s high time that they act once and for all; it’s enough now.” Majodina also noted that the matter had already been brought to the attention of the National Disciplinary Committee (NDC), citing a similar incident from last year when Dlamini-Zuma deviated from the ANC parliamentary caucus position. On that occasion, she voted in favor of adopting the Section 89 panel’s recommendation for a committee to consider President Cyril Ramaphosa’s impeachment process over the Phala Phala incident.
The Section 89 panel, led by retired Chief Justice Sandile Ngcobo, had identified prima facie evidence against Ramaphosa regarding the February 2020 burglary at his farm. During that vote, Dlamini-Zuma publicly called for Ramaphosa to step aside due to the matter. In response to these actions, Dlamini-Zuma, in a recent interview on EWN’s “Politicking with Tshidi Madia,” expressed no regrets about her previous vote in favor of the report’s adoption.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the ANC leadership and disciplinary committees will address Minister Dlamini-Zuma’s recent absence and past deviations from party lines. This incident adds to the complex dynamics within the ANC and highlights the challenges of maintaining party discipline in a diverse political landscape.
