ANC | Mangaung chair explains expulsions

BLOEMFONTEIN - The chairperson of the Mangaung ANC says an olive branch was extended before eight members were expelled.

The action was taken after 11 councillors voted with the opposition to elect a DA council speaker.

Three of them were given warnings after showing remorse.

ANC regional chairperson Lawrence Mathae explained the expulsions.

READ: ANC expels 8 Mangaung councillors for voting with opposition

"For a very long time, we have known that there are certain councillors who are consistently voting with the opposition.

"Last year a decision was taken, having subjected these councillors to a thorough disciplinary process, a decision was taken for the expulsion of such councillors but that decision was put on hold with a view that there's now a new leadership in the region as well as in the province," Mathae said.

"We wanted to extend an olive branch to these councillors. For them to appreciate that there's now a new leadership and they would repent from this conduct which seeks to diminish the role and the power of the ANC in the council."