Johannesburg – The African National Congress (ANC) will take disciplinary action against Obed Bapela, who has been removed as deputy chair of the party’s international relations subcommittee, over controversial remarks he made during a visit to Morrocco.
In a statement on Friday, (11 October 2024), the ANC said: “Cde Obed Bapela has been relieved of his duties as deputy chairperson and as a member of the ANC NEC [National Executive Committee] sub-committee on international relations.
“Furthermore, the ANC Secretary-General will be referring his matter to the Chief National Presenter to prepare for the institution of disciplinary action due to violating the constitution when he failed to comply and implement resolutions of the ANC 55th National Conference and preceding conference resolutions on Western Sahrawi.”
Bapela landed himself in hot water when earlier this week, on Monday, he reportedly led a delegation that met Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita.
The ANC has been at odds with Morrocco over the party’s stated commitment to solidarity with Western Sahara, which is demanding independence from Moroccan rule.
Reports from Morrocco indicate that during the discussions, Bapela – an ANC National Executive Committee member – invited companies from that country to invest in South Africa.
“The ANC is deeply concerned by the media reports that Cde Obed Bapela led a supposedly South African delegation to meet with the Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs on 7 October 2024, as confirmed by the Moroccan publication ‘MAP’,” the party said in its statement attributed to spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri.
“We have since released a statement instructing Cde Obed to provide an explanation regarding his conduct and the actions taken in Morocco, and to cease any further engagements with any government or political party representatives on behalf of the ANC, particularly where these may be contrary to the ANC’s official positions.”
The ANC said the reported meeting in Rabat, focused on strengthening economic and trade relations between South Africa and Morocco, “contradicting the ANC’s longstanding policies and principles regarding Morocco’s occupation of Western Sahara”.
The ANC said Bapela failed to give “a full account” of why this meeting was held.
The party said Bapela failed to say why his actions should not be considered to violate ANC policies and principles – something the ANC said raised “serious questions about his judgment and commitment to the movement’s values”.
The ANC said senior cadres were expected to act with revolutionary morality and discipline, understanding the sensitivity and significance of their roles at all times.
“His pronouncements stood firmly against the letter and spirit of our 55th National Conference resolutions causing confusion on our policy positions on Western Sahara and causing uneasiness in our fraternal relations amongst our allies, including the Polisario Front and the government of the Sahrawi Republic,” the ANC said.
“This incident serves as a reminder of the responsibility entrusted to all ANC members to uphold the party’s principles in both word and deed.”
