Pressure is growing on the ANC to act against national chairperson Gwede Mantashe following his response to allegations that councillors demanded sexual favours from women seeking jobs.
According to the Mail & Guardian, Sonke Gender Justice has called for formal disciplinary proceedings, an unconditional apology and an investigation into the underlying allegations.
The organisation says the claims should be treated as allegations of abuse of power rather than simply the private conduct of individual councillors.
Calls for an Investigation
The controversy followed an interaction in North West where Mantashe was questioned about allegations involving a councillor accused of demanding sexual favours from women looking for employment.
Mantashe argued that such behaviour should be attributed to individuals rather than the ANC.
Sonke rejected that position and called for implicated councillors to be investigated, with evidence of possible criminal conduct referred to law enforcement.
South Africa’s Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act criminalises corrupt conduct involving the solicitation or acceptance of “gratification” in return for improperly influencing an action or decision.
The allegations against the councillors have not been tested in court.
ANC Women’s League Adds Pressure
Sonke’s intervention follows a similar call from the ANC Women’s League.
According to TimesLIVE, the league demanded that Mantashe apologise publicly and face internal disciplinary action, saying his response to the allegations was inappropriate and derogatory.
The Constitution identifies non-sexism, human dignity and equality as founding democratic values, while the Bill of Rights prohibits unfair discrimination on grounds including gender and sex.
Mantashe Rejects Criticism
Mantashe has questioned why he should apologise.
TimesLIVE reported that he told the SABC he did not believe his remarks warranted an apology and argued that he had not been told clearly what he had done wrong.
Sonke, however, maintains that the focus should remain on the alleged exploitation of women seeking employment.
The organisation has also called for gender-sensitivity training for ANC leaders, councillors and deployees, while urging the party to investigate the allegations and take disciplinary steps where warranted.