The ANC in the Eastern Cape is opposed to the axing of Buffalo City mayor Zukisa Faku by the party's Amathole region earlier this month, the Dispatch Online reported on Friday.

The provincial leadership disagreed with the Amathole region's decision to expel Faku and wanted disciplinary steps taken to be reversed.

ANC regional disciplinary committee chairman Siphiswo Burwana earlier this month announced Faku's expulsion at a media briefing, saying it was suspended pending ratification by the party's national disciplinary committee.

Faku faced 12 charges for using council petrol and credit cards for her personal use, among other things.

She reportedly used the credit card to buy clothing and leather goods to the value of R15 146 for herself during an official trip to Turkey, and to put fuel into vehicles not belonging to the municipality.

The Dispatch Online, however, reported the provincial working committee on Thursday announced it stood by a recent decision by the province's executive committee, which reaffirmed its support for Faku.

The province wants the withdrawal of suspensions and expulsions of other ANC councillors in Buffalo City.

"We expect maximum co-operation from the region as the matter of provincial executive committee is to guide and decide," provincial secretary Oscar Mabuyane was quoted as saying.

"We must at least exhaust the internal processes of the ANC and allow space to bring about comprehensive qualitative measures to the members."

There would also be an investigation into who took the decision that disciplinary hearings should go ahead and whether Amathole had violated the ANC constitution.

Sapa

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