The ruling African National Congress (ANC) Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) in KwaZulu-Natal has asked corruption accused former eThekwini Mayor Zandile Gumede to step aside from her new position as KZN Member of the Provincial Legislature (MPL) pending the province’s integrity commission investigations.

Gumede’s appointment has ignited significant public debate and backlash, with many South Africans questioning the ANC’s decision to appoint Gumede while she faces corruption charges.

KZN ANC provincial deputy chairperson Mike Mabuyakhulu, who also has a tender corruption case against him, has also been asked to follow suit, as the KZN ANC announced that all members in conflict with the law should step aside.

Gumede and Mabuyakhulu will continue to receive their salaries and will present themselves at the ANC’s integrity commission.

ANC provincial secretary Mdumiseni Ntuli said the KZN ANC noted that there were ongoing discussions raised by South Africans about the correctness and the timing of the decision to appoint Gumede as MPL.

ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa recently wrote a letter to ANC members reminding them that ANC leaders stood accused of corruption and that the party was “accused number one”.

“Compelled by the necessity to respond to the discourse, the PEC agreed that the ANC remains the parliament of the people and because of that character, it has an abiding obligation through its elected leadership to ensure that when society expresses concerns about the direction of our movement, those concerns must be taken seriously and be reflected upon,” stated Ntuli.

He went on to dismiss allegations that Gumede was deployed as the chairperson of the Portfolio Committee of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.

Meanwhile, the PEC also agreed that there was a need to convene an extraordinary meeting.

KZN Premier Sihle Zikalala said if Gumede and Mabuyakhulu are not found guilty they will resume their duties.

“We are saying step aside, meaning they are not going to participate in activities of the ANC. They are not going to represent the ANC in any platform up until the matter is processed by the integrity commission,” he explained.

He said the issue of their replacements will only be entertained following the integrity commission process and if the need for replacements arose.

“What is important is that the ANC is taking a view that our matters will not only be dependent on courts. The ANC must find a way of dealing with its own image and integrity in line with its character and values,” Zikalala said.

The party has urged the ANC integrity commission to work speedily on the cases and issue a report in the next few months.