African National Congress (ANC) Chief Whip Pemmy Majodina delivered a serious warning to party members today, emphasizing the significant consequences that may arise if members do not adhere to the party’s stance on adopting the Section 194 report. The report recommends the replacement of Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane as Public Protector.
Majodina made it crystal clear that the ANC would not tolerate any member who disagreed with the party’s position on this matter. The Section 194 report has been closely scrutinized, as it could have a substantial impact on South Africa’s political landscape.
In a recent vote in the National Assembly, 318 members supported the removal of Advocate Mkhwebane from office, while 43 opposed it. Mkhwebane’s seven-year term was supposed to conclude in mid-October, making this decision just weeks before her term’s end. It faced opposition from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), the United Democratic Movement (UDM), the Pan-Africanist Congress (PAC), the African Transformation Movement (ATM), and Al Jamaah, but received support from the African National Congress (ANC), the Democratic Alliance (DA), and several smaller groups.
The ANC’s strict adherence to party discipline has sparked intense debates online. Many individuals have shared their opinions on the matter. Some have raised concerns about the vote’s legitimacy due to a conflict between the Constitutional Court’s ruling and its implementation. Others have suggested that a political party’s constitution holds greater weight than an individual’s personal ethics in decision-making.
The compulsory voting of ANC MPs has been a major topic of discussion on social media, particularly in light of reports of numerous ANC MPs being expelled from parliament. The fate of those who choose to defy the party’s stance is a source of concern, but the potential consequences of such actions remain uncertain.
[LISTEN] ANC Chief Whip, Pemmy Majodina says if anyone in the ANC votes against the party line which is to vote in favour of the adoption of the section 194 report – recommending Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane be removed as the Public Protector – will be dealt with and the party is… pic.twitter.com/NErtOv6AI0
— Athi Mtongana (@AthiMtongana) September 11, 2023
South Africa’s political landscape is characterized by power dynamics and strategic maneuvering, and the outcome of the vote on the Section 194 report underscores these features. With its commitment to party unity and enforcement of its policies, the ANC has set a precedent for the behavior and loyalty it expects from its members in the future. South Africa is currently at a critical juncture in its political history, and the repercussions of this conflict are likely to be felt in the coming weeks or months.
