The ANC Veterans League has issued a firm and urgent call for former minister Malusi Gigaba to resign from his position as a Member of Parliament, arguing that his continued presence undermines the integrity and renewal efforts of the governing party.
In a strongly worded statement released on Thursday, the Veterans League said Gigaba’s return to parliamentary politics was “incompatible with the ethical foundations the ANC is trying to rebuild,” stressing that leaders facing serious allegations or tainted legacies should not hold public office while the party seeks to restore public trust.
The demand follows mounting criticism from within ANC structures and civil society regarding Gigaba’s re-emergence in frontline politics. The Veterans League, a moral authority within the movement, said it could not remain silent while individuals linked to controversies continued to occupy positions of public responsibility.
“South Africans expect a higher standard of accountability from their leaders,” the organisation stated. “Comrade Gigaba’s resignation from Parliament is necessary to protect the credibility of the ANC and its parliamentary caucus.”
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Gigaba, who previously served as Minister of Home Affairs and Minister of Finance, has faced ongoing scrutiny over testimony at the State Capture Commission and questions surrounding his conduct during his tenure in government. Although he has denied wrongdoing, the Veterans League argues that unresolved allegations should disqualify him from serving in Parliament until his name is cleared.
Political analysts say the call signals growing impatience within the ANC’s older generation toward what they describe as the party’s slow and inconsistent approach to internal reform. The Veterans League, which has taken increasingly bold positions in recent months, appears intent on pushing the organisation toward stricter ethical compliance ahead of future national and provincial elections.
“Veterans are speaking directly to the heart of the ANC’s renewal project,” said political commentator Thandi Mahlangu. “They are reminding the party that renewal is not just a slogan—it requires action, even when that action is uncomfortable.”
Gigaba has not yet publicly responded to the call for his resignation. However, insiders suggest the appeal could intensify pressure within the ANC caucus, as some MPs privately share concerns about how his presence may affect the party’s public image.
The Veterans League concluded its statement with a warning: without decisive action, the ANC risks further eroding public confidence. “We cannot rebuild the movement while ignoring the accountability that our history demands,” it said.
As the debate grows, all eyes will be on Gigaba and the ANC’s top leadership to see whether the party will heed the Veterans League’s call—or once again find itself navigating internal divisions over ethical renewal.