The ANC said Obed Bapela failed to give reasons why his actions should not be considered to be in violation of ANC policies and principle.

The party veteran has been ousted after he contradicted the ANC’s position on Morocco’s occupation of Western Sahar

Obed Bapela has been sacked from his position as ANC Deputy Chairperson and as a member of the party’s national executive committee sub-committee on International Relations.

Bapela, in a move at odds with the ANC's long-standing support of the Sahrawi people, is said to have claimed to be part of an official ANC delegation and called for intensified trade relations between South Africa and Morocco.