Embattled African National Congress (ANC) Gauteng leaders Qedani Mahlangu and Brian Hlongwa have no other option but to resign from their roles as provincial executive committee members.

News24 has seen a letter in which Mahlangu was informed that the ANC's National Working Committee (NWC) has endorsed a recommendation that she step down from the provincial executive committee.

The letter is drafted by the Gauteng ANC's deputy provincial secretary, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, and is addressed to Mahlangu.

ANC Gauteng provincial secretary Jacob Khawe says a similar letter was sent to Hlongwa.

“We asked them to step aside to self-correct, for personal growth and the protection of the ANC brand,” Khawe told News24.

In October, the party announced that the two would remain members of the PEC despite recommendations from the provincial integrity commission that they step down from the leadership structure and for their membership to be revoked for a period.

Mahlangu, Gauteng’s former Health MEC, was hauled before the integrity committee for her role in the Life Esidimeni tragedy, which resulted in the deaths of at least 144 psychiatric patients after they were transferred from Life healthcare institutions to several unlicensed NGOs. Mahlangu resigned as MEC in February 2017.

In October, Hlongwa resigned as the party's chief whip in the Gauteng legislature shortly before the Gauteng ANC announced its decision that Hlongwa and Mahlangu would not serve in public office but remain on the PEC. Hlongwa has been embroiled in allegations of corruption stemming from his tenure as Health MEC.

“It is unfortunate that the letter has been leaked before the PEC could formally resolve, but all other structures of the movement have come to the same conclusion that the integrity of the ANC has to be saved,” said Khawe, referring to a letter which was made public before a formal announcement.

News24 has seen this letter, as well as one from ANC deputy secretary general Jessie Duarte in which she states the national working committee supports the recommendation for Hlongwa and Mahlangu to step down from the PEC. However, she adds that the NWC does not support the recommendation for the pair's ANC membership to be revoked.

The PEC had previously maintained it was not the role of the integrity commission to pronounce on membership and sought to consult on that finding.

“From the onset we did say to the people of Gauteng, we have to look at this matter, subject it to integrity and act accordingly,” said Khawe.

He said it would have been a “missed opportunity” for the ANC not to clarify the party’s own rules and position on issues of membership.

“They were not subjected to a disciplinary hearing. Sanctioning of membership has nothing to do with the integrity of the party,” said the provincial secretary.

“Here we asked for revolutionary conscience and morality,” he added.