Controversial African National Congress chairman of the Western Cape‚ Marius Fransman‚ has resigned as a member of the provincial legislature but still faces a disciplinary inquiry at the weekend.
Fransman quit on Friday. ANC chief whip in the legislature Pierre Uys said ‘’no reasons were given’’ for his abrupt resignation.
“A letter was addressed to the speaker and to me … I am sure that in due course he will provide reasons‚’’ said Uys.
On Thursday The Times newspaper reported that Fransman would‚ according to national party spokesman Zizi Kodwa‚ face a party disciplinary committee in Cape Town on Sunday. This is in relation to sexual harassment allegations made against him by his former personal assistant.
ANC provincial spokesman Jabu Mfusi said Fransman has not cut ties with the ANC.
“Comrade Marius has not resigned as the chairman of the ANC in the Western Cape or as a member of the ANC either‚’’ said Mfusi.
On Thursday the Western Cape High Court dismissed an application brought by Fransman against the speaker in the legislature and the chairman of the standing committee on public accounts.
The matter dates back to when he was Transport and Public Works MEC between 2005 and 2008.
The auditor general found that R328-million was spent on consultants and Scopa wanted Fransman to answer.
Fransman described the hearing as ‘’nothing more than an abuse of the Scopa process’’.
Judge Nolwazi Boqwana dismissed his application to overturn Scopa’s decision.
“The judiciary would be impermissibly impinging on the terrain of the legislature if it were to do what (he) wants it to do.” Judge Boqwana said.
Why I quit: Fransman in his own words
ANC leader Marius Fransman explained in a statement on Friday why he quit his job as party leader in the provincial legislature. Here are his reasons‚ unedited‚ in his own words:
I have resigned as a member of the Western Cape legislature today after 17 years of parliamentary service‚ of which 14 years were in ministerial positions both at provincial and national level.
My decision‚ in 2013‚ to return to the Western Cape to fight alongside the poor and the downtrodden‚ and to address the imbalances between the haves and the have-not’s in creating an inclusive society‚ is being curtailed by the ongoing ANC internal turmoil‚ infighting and factions‚ makes it near impossible to execute my duties to ensure the upliftment of my constituents.
I can no longer justify a salary without the mechanism to deliver on my calling.
I have searched my conscience; I have applied my mind; I have consulted with trusted comrades‚ and with my family‚ and I have concluded that the ANC at all levels is at an ebb in its glorious 104 year history of excellence‚ indicated by internal strife and contradictory statements.
We didn’t join the struggle for such strife; we joined the struggle and our glorious movement to serve‚ and to serve with pride and dignity. I have reflected on the “Reconstruction and Development” and the “Ready To Govern” documents prior to 1994‚ and I have realised how far we have drifted from it.
The community wants an ANC restored to its former splendour and I believe that I may better answer to my calling by pursuing such an objective.
It is my humble submission that the organisation must unify anew.
I will dedicate my efforts to rebuild the trust between the people‚ civil society and the ANC. I will continue to serve the ANC as the elected provincial chairperson of the Western Cape. I call on all like-minded comrades and friends to join me in this quest. We must always remember that the ANC belongs to the people‚ and not to the leaders and to us in parliament. When we have internal strife‚ it’s ultimately the people who suffer.
My appreciation to all members of parliament who served with me beyond party political affiliation during my parliamentary tenure‚ accompanies this statement.
— TMG Digital
Marius Fransman quits legislature but still faces disciplinary inquiry
Controversial African National Congress chairman of the Western Cape‚ Marius Fransman‚ has resigned as a member of the provincial legislature but still faces a disciplinary inquiry at the weekend.
Fransman quit on Friday. ANC chief whip in the legislature Pierre Uys said ‘’no reasons were given’’ for his abrupt resignation.
“A letter was addressed to the speaker and to me … I am sure that in due course he will provide reasons‚’’ said Uys.
On Thursday The Times newspaper reported that Fransman would‚ according to national party spokesman Zizi Kodwa‚ face a party disciplinary committee in Cape Town on Sunday. This is in relation to sexual harassment allegations made against him by his former personal assistant.
ANC provincial spokesman Jabu Mfusi said Fransman has not cut ties with the ANC.
“Comrade Marius has not resigned as the chairman of the ANC in the Western Cape or as a member of the ANC either‚’’ said Mfusi.
On Thursday the Western Cape High Court dismissed an application brought by Fransman against the speaker in the legislature and the chairman of the standing committee on public accounts.
The matter dates back to when he was Transport and Public Works MEC between 2005 and 2008.
The auditor general found that R328-million was spent on consultants and Scopa wanted Fransman to answer.
Fransman described the hearing as ‘’nothing more than an abuse of the Scopa process’’.
Judge Nolwazi Boqwana dismissed his application to overturn Scopa’s decision.
“The judiciary would be impermissibly impinging on the terrain of the legislature if it were to do what (he) wants it to do.” Judge Boqwana said.
Why I quit: Fransman in his own words
ANC leader Marius Fransman explained in a statement on Friday why he quit his job as party leader in the provincial legislature. Here are his reasons‚ unedited‚ in his own words:
I have resigned as a member of the Western Cape legislature today after 17 years of parliamentary service‚ of which 14 years were in ministerial positions both at provincial and national level.
My decision‚ in 2013‚ to return to the Western Cape to fight alongside the poor and the downtrodden‚ and to address the imbalances between the haves and the have-not’s in creating an inclusive society‚ is being curtailed by the ongoing ANC internal turmoil‚ infighting and factions‚ makes it near impossible to execute my duties to ensure the upliftment of my constituents.
I can no longer justify a salary without the mechanism to deliver on my calling.
I have searched my conscience; I have applied my mind; I have consulted with trusted comrades‚ and with my family‚ and I have concluded that the ANC at all levels is at an ebb in its glorious 104 year history of excellence‚ indicated by internal strife and contradictory statements.
We didn’t join the struggle for such strife; we joined the struggle and our glorious movement to serve‚ and to serve with pride and dignity. I have reflected on the “Reconstruction and Development” and the “Ready To Govern” documents prior to 1994‚ and I have realised how far we have drifted from it.
The community wants an ANC restored to its former splendour and I believe that I may better answer to my calling by pursuing such an objective.
It is my humble submission that the organisation must unify anew.
I will dedicate my efforts to rebuild the trust between the people‚ civil society and the ANC. I will continue to serve the ANC as the elected provincial chairperson of the Western Cape. I call on all like-minded comrades and friends to join me in this quest. We must always remember that the ANC belongs to the people‚ and not to the leaders and to us in parliament. When we have internal strife‚ it’s ultimately the people who suffer.
My appreciation to all members of parliament who served with me beyond party political affiliation during my parliamentary tenure‚ accompanies this statement.
— TMG Digital
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos