Is Marius Fransman in or out?

According to ANC national spokesman Zizi Kodwa, there is no confusion: troubled ANC Western Cape leader Marius Fransman has not been reinstated.

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Cape Town - It seems the right hand of the ANC does not know what the left hand is doing. In what can only be described as a power struggle in the ANC’s top leadership, Luthuli House has taken a firm stand, categorically denying that troubled Western Cape ANC leader Marius Fransman has been reinstated.

The ANC's Zizi Kodwa stressed on Friday morning that there was no confusion, and said that Fransman has not been reinstated.

“The ANC's Integrity Commission had recommended that his case be referred to the DC (Disciplinary Committee) of the ANC. That recommendation has been accepted and that's where the matter is going,” Kodwa said.

However, on Friday morning Fransman confirmed that he had been reinstated and was re-assuming his leadership role.

On Thursday, ANC head of elections campaigns Nomvula Mokonyane, while on the campaign trail in Cape Town, told reporters Fransman was back on the job.

Fransman also said on Thursday that he was humbled by the fact his party has given him the green light to return to his post.

He was asked to step aside following the sexual harassment allegations brought against him by 21-year-old Louisa Wynand, during the ANC’s 104th birthday celebrations in January.

On Thursday Fransman caused a stir during an unexpected appearance in Philippi, joining President Jacob Zuma on the campaign trail as he drummed up support ahead of the local government elections.

It was the first time Fransman has been seen at a high-profile ANC event since the party leadership asked him to “step aside”.

The move comes as police continue probing the sexual harassment charge opened by Wynand and amidst claims the ANC’s integrity commission, which handled his sexual harassment complaint, recommended he relinquish all his party positions for bringing the party into disrepute.

ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe earlier said that Fransman will face the party’s national disciplinary committee following a recommendation made by the party’s integrity commission.

But Water Affairs and Sanitation Minister Mokonyane told reporters on Thursday that Fransman was back in the ANC as chairman and the issues had been resolved.

Party insiders said Fransman was asked to attend a campaign meeting prior to the president’s visit on Thursday, during which the announcement was made.

Asked for comment, Fransman said it was great being back on the ground doing what he loved best and supporting the ANC’s mayoral candidate, Xolani Sotashe, while hitting the campaign trail with Zuma and Mokonyane.

“With less than two weeks before the elections, we have lots of work to do. We need to take this election battle to the next level. We need to unify and stabilise the organisation. Our main goal must be the upcoming elections. We need to make sure the City metro is turned into an inclusive city for all our people,” he added.

Thanking his family, the party leadership and all those who stood by him through “trying times”, Fransman said he was humbled by the support and well-wishes he had received.

“We must unify and make sure we put up a united campaign and a united front in the upcoming elections,” he added.

The EFF provincial leader Bernard Joseph said they are “bemused” by Fransman's return from the wilderness.

“It is a clear sign that it's panic stations at their provincial and elections HQ. The ANC has been dysfunctional in representing the best interests of the poor and the working class. Bringing in Marius Fransman only compounds the ANC's weakness and incompetence with desperation.”

Joseph described the ANC in the Western Cape as a sinking ship.

“If Marius has been brought on to captain this sinking vessel, then he must be prepared to go down with it too,” he added.

The DA also criticised the ANC for reinstating Fransman. DA Chief Whip in the Western Cape Legislature Mark Wiley said the DA in the Western Cape provincial parliament was amazed at the reinstatement.

“They must be desperate… This goes to show what the ANC thinks of women. It is disappointing indeed.”

He said the investigation into whether Fransman’s membership to the Western Cape provincial parliament must cease was also ongoing, following his continued neglect of his parliamentary duties this year.

“The truth of the matter is that Marius Fransman has failed in his duty as a leader of the opposition in the legislature. He fails to comply with statutory obligations and continues to use taxpayers’ money to avoid accountability for wasteful expenditure during his time as Western Cape MEC of Transport and Public Works,” he added.

Cape Argus