ANC Eastern Cape leader Lusanda Sizani
Image: SUPPLIED
ANC Eastern Cape leader Lusanda Sizani has been told to step aside, pending the finalisation of a criminal case after his personal gun went missing.
The instruction follows a finding by the ANC Eastern Cape Provincial Integrity Commission, which said Sizani must step aside from all party leadership positions while his court case is ongoing.
Sizani is the Chris Hani district municipality mayor and the chair of the party in the region.
The step-aside rule is an ANC policy that requires members who have been formally charged and are appearing in court for serious crimes to temporarily withdraw from leadership positions until their cases are finalised.
The step aside resolution does not speak to legislative roles.
The commission’s recommendation is contained in a finalised report released on Thursday.
"Cadre Lusanda Sizani should step aside from any leadership position he holds within the structures of the ANC pending the finalization of his case," commission chair Prof Shepherd Mayatula said.
This follows a virtual hearing held on Tuesday.
The matter was referred to the commission by the ANC provincial secretary.
According to the report, seen by IOL, the case related to the loss of a 9mm firearm in March 2025.
Sizani told the commission the incident happened while he was checking out of a hotel after attending an ANC provincial executive committee meeting.
He said his protector had taken his bags, including one containing his pistol, to a vehicle.
Sizani later claimed that the vehicle had been left unlocked and that the bag containing the firearm was missing.
He said it had been stolen.
Sizani reported the matter to Fleet Street Police Station.
He later said police in Komani informed him he had been charged in connection with the loss of the firearm and would have to appear in court.
The commission also raised concern about the delay in bringing the matter before it, noting that Sizani had been charged in April last year already, but only appeared before the commission this year.
Sizani told the commission that he had tried to seek guidance from ANC leadership at the time but said his attempts were unsuccessful.
This diminishes any possibility of standing for election at the upcoming conference.
While unofficial, Sizani's face has been seen on slate posters that have been widely circulated.
He is due back in the East London Magistrate's Court on February 19.
This is a developing story.
IOL