The African National Congress (ANC) has confirmed that senior members Malusi Gigaba and Senzo Mchunu will face disciplinary action for allegedly making remarks that the party believes undermined its character and internal cohesion.
According to ANC officials, the two leaders are accused of “casting aspersions” on the organisation’s integrity and unity during recent public engagements. The party’s National Disciplinary Committee is expected to review the matter, with possible sanctions ranging from formal warnings to suspension from certain party activities.
“The ANC values discipline, respect, and collective leadership,” party spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri said. “When individuals act in a manner that brings the organisation into disrepute or threatens its unity, the ANC has a duty to act decisively.”
While details of the comments that triggered the action were not disclosed, insiders suggest the dispute stems from remarks linked to internal leadership debates and factional tensions. Both Gigaba, a former cabinet minister, and Mchunu, Minister of Water and Sanitation, have previously been central figures in the ANC’s internal contestations.
Analysts say the move signals the party’s determination to clamp down on public dissent as it works to restore credibility following electoral setbacks and declining public confidence. “The ANC is trying to project discipline and cohesion at a time when its internal divisions are under intense scrutiny,” said political analyst Professor Somadoda Fikeni.
The disciplinary process will now follow formal procedures, including hearings where both Gigaba and Mchunu will be allowed to present their defense. Party officials insist the process will be conducted fairly but emphasize that unity remains non-negotiable.
The case is likely to reignite debate about how the ANC manages internal criticism and whether disciplinary measures are being used to silence dissenting voices within its ranks.