The ANC’s provincial leadership bared their claws yesterday when they slammed their leader Marius Fransman for his “shameful behaviour’ since his suspension.
The party’s acting chairperson, Khaya Magaxa, on Tuesday said Fransman’s behaviour since a decision was taken by the Integrity Commission to probe charges of sexual harassment was disrespectful towards the party.
Louisa Wynand, 21, claimed that in January she was sexually harassed by Fransman while on a trip to the ANC’s 104th birthday celebrations in Rustenberg. The alleged incident happened in a hotel in Kimberley.
Earlier this month, the National Disciplinary Committee found Marius guilty of two counts of misconduct relating to the incident and suspended him.
Fransman has been vocal about his belief that the charges against him were as a result of a conspiracy to remove him, led by Secretary General Gwede Mantashe.
But Magaxa says Fransman’s pointing of fingers at Mantashe is a sign that Mantashe too is being used as part of a faction “at national level”.
“It seems now it is becoming a sub-culture among corrupt and reactionary elements that lack organisational discipline and class consciousness to use the ANC Secretary General as their punching bag in order to convince factional Lords of their loyalty,” he adds.
“Comrade Marius must take responsibility for his actions and not create imaginary scapegoats.”
Magaxa, however, says Fransman remains the party’s provincial chairperson until a NDC appeals board decides to overturn his decision.
If the decision is held up, Fransman will be replaced next year.