ANC caucus launches disciplinary process against Mamabolo

The African National Congress (ANC) has been quick to call members who have been accused of wrongdoing to order recently, and this time its parliamentary caucus has announced it is instituting a disciplinary process against MP Boy Mamabolo.

Mamabolo is accused of making threats towards a journalist.

In an audio recording of what is believed to be a conversation between Sunday World reporter Ngwako Malatjie and the MP, Mamabolo can be heard threatening to shoot Malatji and kick his testicles.

Malatjie had reportedly called him to get his side of a story regarding allegations that Mamabolo made unsavoury remarks about President Cyril Ramaphosa’s decision to ban the sale of alcohol for the second time.

ANC chief whip: Matter referred to disciplinary committee

The party caucus has condemned Mamabolo’s alleged actions and said the mater had been referred to the National Caucus Disciplinary Committee.

“We denounce the alleged unbecoming behavior of the ANC Member of Parliament. As an MP, Cde Mamabolo is bound by the Oath of Office to serve, represent, respect and protect the citizens of the Republic of South Africa”, said ANC Chief Whip Pemmy Majodina in a statement on Saturday, 1 August 2020.

“At all times, the ANC Caucus has strived to maintain a cordial relationship with members of the media and respects the Constitutional values and Bill of Rights, including freedom of expression as well as the freedom of the press and other media to do its work”, Mojodina said.

“We further communicated with Mr Malatji informing him of the internal disciplinary action against Mamabolo”

The chief whip said they would communicate the outcomes of the disciplinary process in due course and further noted that Malatji opened a case against Mamabolo.

Malatji has since opened a case against Mamabolo at the Mondeor Police Station in Johannesburg.

Sanef: ‘These threats are disturbing‘

The South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) has labelled Mamabolo’s threats as disturbing.

“Such threats have no place in a democratic society and underline the risks that journalists face when covering the activities of politicians at all levels including branches, regions, and provinces”, the forum said in a statement.

“We hope that SAPS will take this threat against the journalist seriously and carry out the necessary investigation. We hope that the MP responsible for the threats will be brought to justice to show that this unparliamentary behaviour has no place in our democracy. We also call on the ANC to show that it does not tolerate such behaviour within its ranks and that it will duly take steps to discipline its member”