ANC to probe leaks of confidential party information to media and outsiders

JOHANNESBURG - The African National Congress (ANC) has decided to investigate the leaking of confidential party information to the media and outsiders.

The national executive committee (NEC) decided on this during its meeting over the weekend.

The party is concerned about releasing sensitive documents to the media without the organisation's approval.

At a media briefing held at the ANC's Luthuli House headquarters on Tuesday, Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula said a team would be appointed to investigate the leak of confidential information.

"The NEC further resolved a standing committee to investigate leaks of NEC and NWC [national working committee] information to journalists and third parties.

"This permanent committee will conduct forensic audits of information leaks by ANC and NWC involving internal ANC decisions and discussions. In most cases, these discussions were distorted. The ANC has the obligation and responsibility to defend itself against distortions from faceless sources masquerading as credible to the media."

Mbalula further said the integrity of the ANC is being compromised by individuals who continuously leak confidential information to the media.

"It's not undermining freedom of the press. What we are doing has got nothing to do with the press. It has everything to do with people undermining the communication strategy of the ANC."

He said some in the ANC are even working with other political parties.

"Others even go further to brief the opposition about the ANC. It’s better with the media but opposition is another thing. Now I was in the NEC, and there were leaks from Saturday and Sunday about the NEC."

Mbalula expressed concern that some individuals pretended to be ANC members while, in reality, they aimed to undermine the party’s code of conduct.