State capture disciplinary hearing flop laid squarely at Mbalula's door

Gigaba, Mahlobo, Kodwa and Frolick walk free from misconduct charges

- By Setumo Stone

In a stunning rebuke to the ANC’s much-touted “renewal” project, four prominent politiciansMalusi Gigaba, Zizi Kodwa, David Mahlobo, and Cedric Frolick - have been cleared of misconduct charges by the party’s own disciplinary body. The reason? Shocking administrative failures and a “vague” resolution by the ANC’s top leadership.

The ANC’ national disciplinary committee (NDC), chaired by veteran Ralph Mgijima, delivered a scathing verdict on Friday, dismissing all charges against the quartet. While the NDC did not rule on the factual guilt or innocence of the four members regarding the Zondo commission findings, it delivered a scathing critique of the party’s internal disciplinary processes under secretary-general Fikile Mbalula’s office.

Mgijima upheld two key technical arguments presented by the members’ legal representative, Mathews Phosa.

The committee found that the ANC’s national executive committee (NEC) had not properly authorised the institution of disciplinary proceedings against the specific individuals and that the charges were brought outside the strict six-month time limit prescribed by the ANC constitution.