ANC veteran Mavuso Msimang has made a dramatic U-turn, withdrawing his resignation from the African National Congress (ANC) just a week after announcing his departure due to “endemic corruption.”
Mavuso Msimang makes U-turn on ANC resignation
This reversal was confirmed by the ANC on Thursday, following a pivotal meeting between Msimang and ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula, organised by the party’s Veterans League.
Msimang’s initial resignation had sent ripples through the party, highlighting the deep-seated issues of corruption he perceived.
“As ANC leaders publicly proclaim ownership of obscenely wealthy homesteads and other possessions and send their children to the best schools in the land, there are still many South Africans whose children continue to be exposed to the risk of dropping into pit latrines in poorly equipped public schools and dying horrendous and humiliating deaths. There are children in rural areas who miss classes when streams and rivers are in flood because there are no bridges,” said Msimang at the time.
The party, in a statement, emphasised its commitment to heeding the advice of its elder members and expressed regret for comments made by Mbalula that suggested Msimang’s integrity was compromised.
“The ANC will continue to seek the wise counsel of the elders of the ANC in whose footsteps we walk,” the party wrote.
The controversy began when Mbalula, speaking at an event, implied that veterans like Msimang were being bribed to leave the ANC.
This accusation was vehemently denied by Msimang, who demanded an apology, stating that such remarks were not only unfounded but also insulting.
“I have not joined any party, and secondly, it’s insulting to suggest that I accepted a bribe. Another deliberate lie of Mbalula’s is that I announced my resignation from ANC through the media. He knows very well that around 3.50pm on December 6, I sent an email to himself and to his PA, exclusively at Luthuli House,” Msimang retorted.
In response, Mbalula clarified that there was no direct claim of Msimang being bribed and mentioned the involvement of significant resources from big business in political manoeuvres aimed at weakening the ANC.
This incident occurs amid a backdrop of notable political shifts within the ANC.
Carl Niehaus, a former ANC Military Veteran leader and ARETA head, recently joined the EFF, a move that diverged from expectations of his alignment with Ace Magashule’s ACT.