Zandile Gumede will have to resign.
The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal reversed its decision to appoint Zandile Gumede to the province’s legislature.
The provincial executive committee met with the former eThekwini mayor Gumede on Friday, following a public outcry after the party decided to deploy Gumede to the legislature, despite facing fraud and corruption charges.
The ANC said this is in line with the ANC’s Nasrec resolution on dealing with corruption.
Part of that resolution says the ANC should publicly disassociate itself from anyone, whether business donor, supporter or member, accused of corruption or reported to be involved in corruption.
Sources who spoke to News24 said Gumede has not indicated whether she will comply with the request.
It has also emerged that ANC KZN deputy chair Mike Mabuyakhulu has sent a letter to ANC officials of his intent to resign from his position, one source told News24.
The PEC held a special meeting on Friday morning shortly before the national executive committee (NEC) and national working committee (NWC) were due to convene.
Gumede’s re-emergence as a provincial official was largely criticised, becoming a thorny issue for the party.
She is currently out on R50 000 bail after she, councillor Mondli Mthembu and others were accused of colluding with corporate entities and others to circumvent the outcomes of the supply management protocols of the eThekwini municipality.
The Hawks and Asset Forfeiture Unit swooped on her and the others’ homes, seizing assets and cars.
Shortly after Gumede’s swearing in at the KZN legislature, sources inside the PEC told News24 they never discussed her deployment.
The sources said calls for Gumede to be deployed to the legislature to replace Ricardo Mthembu, who died after being infected with Covid-19, came from Luthuli House.
Gumede is known to be a close ally of former president Jacob Zuma and ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule.