The ANC, in the Eastern Cape, welcomed the judgement handed down on Nelson Mandela Bay Councillor ANC ward councillor Bongo Nombiba and also called for a speedy conclusion of the Mandela Funeral Scandal Trial
Councillor Nombiba was sentenced to 5 years imprisonment in the Port Elizabeth commercial crimes court on Thursday after being found guilty of fraud and corruption.
Nombiba was arrested by the Hawks in 2016 for fleecing the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality out of R20 000 from a discretionary fund meant for a township-based NGO.
ANC Eastern Cape spokesperson Gift Ngqondi said while the party respects the right to appeal, it is saddened to see an ANC public representative enmeshed in criminal activity and ending up in jail.
The ruling party's Eastern Cape Provincial Secretary, Cde Lulama Ngcukayitobi, said the sentencing must serve as a warning to other leaders.
"This sentencing can serve as a warning to other leaders and public representatives within our ranks to stay corrupt free, and perform their duties as expected by the public that we serve. It also sends a strong message that, even if it takes years, justice will be served where wrong has been done," he said.
Ngcukayitobi said added that there was no place in the ANC for those involved in corrupt activities.
The ANC suspended Nombiba.
"Organisational processes which include concluding disciplinary processes and Integrity Commission will be finalized as soon as yesterday," he added.
Meanwhile, the ANC called for the NPA to urgently to speed up the Nelson Mandela Funeral Scandal Trial.
"Our view is not to tamper or interfere with the judiciary process but we are of the view that justice delayed is justice denied.Irrespective of positions, justice must be seen to take its course objectively without fear or favour. The judgement in the NMB Councillor irrespective of the number of funds involved must also be a case in point on the Mandela funeral scandal amount of funds," Ngcukayitobi said.
Meanwhile, the DA, in the Eastern Cape, said the judgement made by the court on Thursday showed the ANC's lack of credibility and inability to govern.
DA Eastern Cape Provincial Spokesperson, Mlindi Nhanha, said it proved that the ANC could not be trusted with the people's money and were not incapable of governing the city.
"The DA-led coalition has shown it has zero tolerance for criminal and corrupt behaviour. The systematic looting of the Municipality's coffers at the hands of the corrupt ANC brought the City to its knees. As a result, the voters of NMB removed the ANC from office in 2016," she said.
