The ANC has suspended seven of its members in connection with the sanitation protests in the Western Cape. – image – www.ciibroadcasting.com
The African National Congress has taken a decisive stand on the battle of poo that has been raging on in the Western Cape. Despite warnings by the party, a group of ANC members continued to pile on the human waste at the Western Cape Legislature and the Cape Town International Airport. According to media reports, the ANC has suspended seven of its members in connection with the protests against the Portable Flush Toilet (PFT) system that was recently introduced to address the sanitation issue in the area.
Bongile Zanazo, Yanga Mjingwana, Bongani Ngcombolo, Thembela Mbanjwa, Loyiso Nkohla, Sthembele Majova and Jaji Diniso have been suspended. They cannot be part of any party meetings or speak on behalf of the ANC. The Secretary for the ANC in the Western Cape, Songezo Mjongile gave this explanation: “This is the result of continuous defiance of the organizational instruction to desist from engaging in activities that bring the African National Congress into disrepute.”
The suspension of Loyiso Nkohla is not a proud moment for the ANC as he is a councilor yet his conduct has been disappointing for the ruling party. As far as the ANC is concerned, Nkohla was already skating on thin ice. Over and above participating in the sanitation protests, Nkohla has a three-year suspended sentence on his record. This was as a result of disrupting the president’s centenary speech.
Andile Lili is another councilor who has not done the ANC proud lately. He was removed from the party earlier this year when he became involved in demolishing houses illegally. Lili was also found guilty of being verbally abusive to the residents of Khayelitsha. Both Nkohla and Lili have already had their say in front of the regional disciplinary committee. Lili has since been expelled as a councilor, a decision that he does not think is fair. He is seeking assistance in this regard at the Western Cape High Court. The other men will face the disciplinary committee within 30 days.
The Public New Hub reported on the sanitation protests in the Western Cape last month. The Western Cape Legislature seems to be a popular target. While the men who dumped poo at the Cape Town International Airport appeared in court in Bellville, another group of protesters dumped a few loads of waste at the front door of the provincial legislature.
