ANC axes Nkambule

2006-07-26 19:25

Sakhile Mokoena

Nelspruit - Mpumalanga's controversial former African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) secretary James Nkambule has been expelled from the party.

The ANC announced on Wednesday that Nkambule's membership of both the ANC and the ANCYL had been revoked after he systematically and publicly smeared senior party members in his privately-owned newspaper, The Truth.

The newspaper, which boasts that it reports "without compromise", uses the ANC colours and incorporates a traditional shield and spears into its masthead that are similar to the party logo.

The Barberton-based newspaper is published irregularly, carries no advertising, and has dedicated more than half its page space to criticising prominent provincial ANC leaders, whom it claims are crooked.

The February edition, for example, castigated deputy provincial ANC chairperson David Mabuza for allegedly appointing "cronies" on the candidate list ahead of the municipal elections.

Mabuza publicly refuted the charges at the time.

'Expulsion with immediate effect'

ANC provincial secretary Lucas Mello said: "Nkambule was subjected to an internal disciplinary hearing, and was found guilty on four counts.

"The ANC wishes to announce [his] expulsion with immediate effect."

Nkambule was found guilty on two counts of bringing the ANC into disrepute, as well as violating the party's constitution, and finally of violating his re-admission conditions which were imposed when he rejoined the party after resigning in 2000.

Nkambule resigned ahead of moves to expel him for publicly accusing Mathews Phosa, Tokyo Sexwale and Cyril Ramaphosa of plotting to oust President Thabo Mbeki.

The supposed plot sparked a national probe by police and intelligence agencies, neither of which were able to substantiate any part of Nkambule's conspiracy claims.

Suspended from public office

The ANCYL suspended Nkambule from public office or active participation for a minimum five years, and he then resigned from the ANC before it could censure him.

The ban was reviewed in 2004, when Nkambule re-entered public life as a South African Civic Organisation (Sanco) office bearer and reapplied for ANC membership.

The party granted membership on condition Nkambule never again brought the party or its elected leadership into disrepute.

Nkambule failed to return repeated calls and messages on Wednesday, but remains a member of Sanco for the moment.

It is not clear if he still publishes his newspaper.

- African Eye