ANC Denies Report That Mantashe Will Appear Before Disciplinary Panel

South Africa's ruling African National Congress denied a source report circulated by Netwerk24, which suggested that the Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe, who doubles as party chairman, will have to face a disciplinary committee to respond to allegations of state corruption.

• Bloomberg reports that ANC Secretary General Fikle Mbalula noted that Mantashe is among party members who will not need to appear before the disciplinary panel.
• The Netwerk24 piece came out as Mantashe is reportedly involved in a power struggle over plans to reallocate some of his powers to the newly created Electricity Ministry.
• Mantashe has been active in the local media today and told Talk Radio 702 that he still believes that load-shedding could be ended by the year-end, which was ruled out by the Electricity Minister.
• Separately, Mantashe told ANC members in Boksburg that Opposition Leader John Steenhuisen is trying to mobilise all "apartheid" parties to defeat the ANC in next year's election and the ruling party must ensure that does not happen.