ANC to discipline unruly members

The ANC in the North West has threatened to take action against unruly members who disrupted a provincial executive committee (PEC) meeting, the party said on Thursday.

North West ANC spokesman Kenny Morolong said members protested on Sunday against the "recall" of two mayors who allegedly contravened ANC policies and were involved in acts of corruption.

"We cannot dignify such discipline, and action will be taken against those members," he said.

Police reportedly used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the members.

"We did not know about the disruptions outside. We only found out later. It did not have any affect on the progress of the meeting," Morolong said.

The meeting was addressed by ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe, and its focus was whether to suspend the Dr Kenneth Kaunda regional executive committee over its decision to fire the mayors and suspend an ANC regional secretary.

Mantashe told the Sowetan newspaper that he did not regard the protest as a disruption.

"There were demonstrations outside, but the meeting of the PEC continued," he said.

Morolong said another group of ANC members would also face disciplinary measures after it disrupted a meeting on Wednesday. These members supported the decision taken by the REC.

The decision against Dr Kenneth Kaunda mayor Boitumelo Moloi, her counterpart in Tlokwe, Andrew Maphetle, and regional secretary Aubuti Chika was taken last week.

North West ANC secretary Kabelo Mataboge said the PEC reversed the decision as the REC had no constitutional power to remove its members.