JOHANNESBURG – The province’s African National Congress (ANC) leaders accused of being caught after failing to appear before the party’s integrity commission will now be referred to the national disciplinary committee.

The integrity commission is a structure that deals with unethical or immoral behavior of party members and advises the party’s highest decision-making body.

In his closing remarks to Sunday’s special national executive committee (NEC) meeting, ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa announced reforms to the commission’s terms of reference.

Some ANC members, particularly seniors, have expressed concern that the integrity commission’s recommendations are often ignored.

Some party members believed to have brought the organization into disrepute were also flagged for failing to appear before the organization’s internal monitor.

Ramaphosa said the NEC had decided that all integrity commission reports should be made final.

“The NEC considered all the reports of the integrity commission. The NEC noted that some reports were implemented, while others were overshadowed by some events. The NEC instructed the secretary-general to process the recommendations accepted by the NEC and submit a report. Report to the integrity commission on these matters.”

The NEC also decided to change the integrity commission’s terms of reference to better define its responsibilities.