Former ANC chief whip expelled

By Tarryn Le Chat
15 December 2006

African National Congress (ANC) Chief Whip Mbulelo Goniwe has been expelled from the party with immediate effect after a committee found him guilty of sexual harassment.

Professor Kadar Asmal, who chaired the committee, said that it was a ‘painful and difficult’ decision. The board, which consisted of Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi, Susan Shabangu and Luwellyn Landers, came to a decision after six hours of deliberation.

As a result, Goniwe would no longer be a member of parliament, nor would he serve as the ANC’s Chief Whip.

“The ANC has acted correctly in expelling the former Chief Whip Mbulelo Goniwe”, said Douglas Gibson, Democratic Alliance Chief Whip.

“The DA believes that the sexual harassment charges against Goniwe are serious. However, the ANC should explain how convicted Travelgate criminals are sill sitting in Parliament”, said Gibson.

Patrick Craven, National spokesperson for Cosatu says they welcome the decision by the ANC. “We have full confidence that the committee would not have come to this conclusion unless there was very clear evidence that Goniwe was guilty of serious misconduct”, he said.

Asmal said the case had been treated as a priority because it involved “a young woman of 21 years and a very senior member f the ANC”.

The National Disciplinary Committee (NDC) had accepted Njongo’s evidence as “credible and acceptable”, said Asmal.

It was on these grounds that Goniwe had been found guilty of the first charge, abuse of office to obtain sexual and other undue advantage, under the ANC constitution.