ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula was addressing a media briefing on the outcomes of the four-day special National Executive Committee meeting at Luthuli House in Johannesburg on Tuesday. Picture: X/ANC
ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula announced that the party is taking action against what he termed as "constipated" people who leak the organisation's crucial information to the media.
Mbalula told journalists on Tuesday in a media briefing that the ANC's National Executive Committee (NEC) had resolved to establish a Standing Committee to investigate leaks of NEC and National Working Committee (NWC) information to journalists and third parties (political parties).
The committee will be composed of experienced professionals and "seasoned" ANC members.
Some members of the ANC has, over the years, been known for leaking critical information, especially party-dividing information. This has been evident at various points where the party has been found wanting in most cases.
This included important party documents, recordings and minutes of meetings, WhatsApp group messages and emails. Some of the leaks are even communicated to the opposition parties.
Some of these sources are believed to come from the NEC members.
"Constipated with factionalism, overeating factional politics and constipated sources to distort the ANC at the highest level of the NEC. We communicate this resolution and somebody who is constipated there says that this is not true and is the most trusted.
"When we give people documents in the meeting, those are subjected to discussion, they are not resolutions," he said.
Mbalula said it was time for them to fight fire with fire because the ANC's integrity and status was being dragged in the mud.
"The ANC's integrity is undermined by faceless sources who have got no shame of themselves and they are standing in the organisation. Members of the ANC must self-respect," he said.
Mbalula said the permanent committee will now conduct forensic audits of information leaks by NEC and NWC members involving internal ANC decisions and discussions.
He further explained that this process will not affect or temper with the media personnel information or media freedom.
"This does not concern the media... You are protected," he said.
This is as the ANC is preparing to win the 2026 local government elections.
kamogelo.moichela@iol.co.za
IOL Politics