Publications
Partners
Johannesburg - The principle "innocent until proven otherwise" has become a stumbling block for the African National Congress (ANC) in implementing recommendations made by its integrity committee.
This was according to the organisational report presented at the party's national general council by secretary-general Gwede Mantashe on Friday. The report was presented in a closed session.
"The emphasis on 'the ANC can no longer allow prolonged processes that damages its integrity' has been put aside and leaders closed ranks in defence of individual leaders who have appeared before the integrity commission," Mantashe said in the report.
"The [national executive committee - NEC] has not implemented many of the recommendations of the integrity commission, because comrades feared admitting guilt by stepping aside."
He said for the ANC to continue earning society's respect and having the moral authority, its image and standing needed to be protected.
The ANC's integrity committee comprised party veterans like Frene Ginwala, Ahmed Kathrada and Andrew Mlangeni.
Last month the ANC NEC resolved the integrity committee could no longer just make recommendations, but would make decisions.
Mantashe's organisational report on Friday also dealt with corruption.
According to the report, the ANC could not be said to be corrupt, especially to the extent it was regarded synonymously with corruption.
"There should be visible action and communication of harsh action against corrupt individuals to address the perception nothing is being done and the ANC is soft on corruption."
