ANC removes Bapela as deputy chair of Parliament's International Relations subcommittee
Bapela, in a move at odds with the ANC's long-standing support of the Sahrawi people, is said to have claimed to be part of an official ANC delegation and called for intensified trade relations between South Africa and Morocco.
FILE: Obed Bapela. Picture: Thomas Holder/Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - The African National Congress (ANC) has relieved Obed Bapela of his responsibilities in the International Relations subcommittee.
This comes as the party seeks to take disciplinary action against him over his alleged calls for a greater working relationship with Morocco.
On Friday, the party said it was concerned to hear that Bapela might have misrepresented himself and the party in the north African country.
After that, he was called to explain the allegations to the ANC.
READ: ANC gags Bapela, wants clarity on his alleged call for intensified economic ties with Morocco
Bapela, in a move at odds with the ANC's long-standing support of the Sahrawi people, is said to have claimed to be part of an official ANC delegation and called for intensified trade relations between South Africa and Morocco.
The ANC said Bapela has failed to account for his alleged meeting with Morocco's foreign affairs minister.
It said this had left the party asking serious questions about his judgment and commitment to ANC values and policy positions.
In a Friday statement, the ANC announced it would remove him as the deputy chair and member of its International Relations subcommittee.
The ANC's disciplinary committee will also handle this matter as the party seeks some action over Bapela's failure to comply and implement resolutions of its 55th national conference, all of which violate the ANC's constitution.