Ace Magashule's ACT party has expelled 11 members in the Free State after investigations into members who have allegedly acted against the party's principles.
The expelled members are Rankele Lawrence Msinto, Mokone Rantshaila, Tshidi Senoge, Tsietsi Sethabela, Irish Mogamise, Maureen Moopoloa, Mapaseka Nkoane, Motlalepula Makoloane, Tatum De Pearce, Rosa Gcantsane and Tiisetso Khaalo.
They are accused of undermining the unity of the party, violating the party's code of conduct, and disloyalty.
ACT spokesperson Mohau Khumalo told TimesLIVE Premium the expelled members wanted to break and divide the party.
“These members engaged in actions that sought to divide and disrupt our party; their behaviour breached our code of conduct and ethical standards. Their actions were detrimental to the collective goals and aspirations of the ACT.
We had a couple of meetings with these individuals where we asked them to stop what they were doing, but they didn’t stop. The party was left with no choice but to expel them.
— Mohau Khumalo, ACT spokesperson
“We have records indicating that these members stayed in ACT and tried to destroy it from within. There are numerous actions they have taken. One of the things they did was run parallel structures to encourage members to leave the party, calling meetings on behalf of ACT and collecting registration fees that were not deposited into ACT’s accounts when members paid their membership fees,” Khumalo said.
There were suggestions the members were expelled after meeting MK Party leader Jacob Zuma. Khumalo, however, dismissed these claims.
Khumalo said the expulsions came after lengthy investigations, claiming the party tried to reprimand the members after receiving complaints from the provincial executive committee (PEC).
“The PEC wrote grievances against those members in February. We allowed the investigations to continue. We had a couple of meetings with these individuals where we asked them to stop what they were doing, but they didn’t stop. The party was left with no choice but to expel them.”
He further said the expelled members have a known history of creating division and disruption in the ANC and trade unions.
He said their behaviour will continue if they join other organisations outside ACT.
Khumalo said this was a necessary step to “cut out the cancer” and protect the integrity of the party.
“Their expulsion is a testament to our commitment that ACT will not tolerate any behaviour that compromises our principles or the trust of our members and the public. We stand firm in our dedication to fostering a disciplined and principled political organisation.
“These violations are intolerable and contradict the foundation of our party's principles. We are committed to maintaining the integrity, values and unity of our organisation. We are building a party of unity, and one of our principles is to be united; we don’t seek to divide. Anyone who puts the party into disrepute will be investigated. It's important to cut out the cancer while it's still early, before it destroys the whole body.”
He believes keeping these members would have destroyed the party.
“What will affect the party is when the cancer grows within it. This move will self-correct and showcase that ACT will not tolerate that behaviour, not from anyone else.”
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