South African Students' Congress

& Code of Conduct

Preamble:

Whereas we the students of South Africa, realizing that we are members of the community before we are students, and committing ourselves to a non racial, non sexist and democratic society free of exploitation and national oppression in which harmony amongst people will prevail, find it necessary to articulate the aspirations of the oppressed, progressive and democratic minded and historically oppressed in a united manner and therefore determined:

1.                   To organize students to work towards the transformation of education

2.                   To organize students to play a meaningful role in the transformation of South African Society, the Southern African Region, the African Continent and the International Community.

1. Section One

1.1.             The Name of the organisation shall be the South African Students Congress

herein referred to as SASCO.

2. Section Two

2.1. Colours and Symbols

2.1.1.    The Colours of the Organisation Shall be Red, Green, Black and Gold.

2.1.2.    The Emblem of the Organisation shall be a Red Circle, a Green African

Continent, a Book and a Black hand holding a pen, in that sequence. The

Emblem shall be round shaped and ringed with red colours with the gold colour

on the continent, a book and a black hand holding a pen

3. Section Three

3. Status

3.1.             The South African Students Congress shall be a legal persona with perpetual

succession and power, apart from its individual members, to require, hold and

alienate property, enter into agreements, and do all things necessary to carry out

its aims and objects and defend its members, its property and reputation.

3.2.             The organizational control and programmes of SASCO shall rest in the SASCO

membership and structures in accordance with its constitution.

3.3.       The organisation shall operate at National, Provincial, Regional and Branch level.

4. Section Four

4. Principles

1.1.             The following shall be the principles of SASCO and shall at all times guide its

deliberations including its policies, campaigns and operations and processes.

4.1.1. Democracy

4.1.2. Non Racialism

4.1.3. Non Sexism

4.1.4. African Leadership

4.1.5. Working Class Leadership

5. Section Five

5. Aims and Objectives

5.1.             Strive to rally students of our country to support and unite behind SASCO and

actively participate in the struggle and programmes to create a non racial, non

sexist, united and prosperous society;

5.2.       Promote unity, patriotism and the spirit of internationalism amongst students;

5.3.             Champion the General interests and Rights of Students in the socio economic and

political life of the country and nation;

5.4.       Strive to work for the educational, moral and cultural upliftment of students;

5.5.             To unite all South Africans and to forge an understanding and practice of non-

racism, non-sexism, and democracy in this process;

5.6.             To take up the demands of students of South Africa are they social, political,

economic or educational;

5.7.             To forge links with all relevant organisations concerned with the liberation of the

oppressed and exploited people of South Africa, in the continent and World;

5.8.             To strive for a democratic, unitary and non-sexist education system that will

prepare all South Africans to partake to the fullest in the building of a democratic

society;

5.9.             To strive for the liberation of South African Women and to struggle against the

oppression and exploitation of women and build women leadership.

6. Section Six

6. Membership

6.1.             Membership shall be open to all registered students at institutions of higher

learning and further education and training, public and private as decided by Congress, regardless of nationality, race, sex, creed, sexual orientation, on condition that such shall adhere to the principles, discipline and mode of operation of the organisation;

6.2.       Membership shall be confirmed annually in accordance with the academic term;

6.3.             All members shall be issued with membership cards on payment of an affiliation

fee, such affiliation fee shall be payable annually;

6.4.       The members shall be expected to pay their dues as determined by Congress;

6.5.             All members shall up on being accepted into the ranks of the organisation

solemnly declare their readiness and willingness to serve the organisation;

6.6.             Dual or multiple memberships by individuals shall be welcomed provided the

policies and programmes of the said organisation, to which a member belongs to

or may wish to belong to be not hostile to those of the organisation;

6.7.             No person shall occupy any executive position or represent the organisation on

any structure unless s/he is a registered student in a public or private higher education or further education and training institution.

7. Section Seven

7. Rights and Obligations

7.1. Every member of the Organisation shall have the right to:

7.1.1.    Take part in the discussion and formulation of SASCO policy,

7.1.2.    Be elected to any committee, commission or delegation of the organisation,

7.1.3.        Submit proposals or statements to the branch on any matter that affects the organisation, students and society in general,

7.1.4.  Engage in constructive criticism and self-criticism,

7.1.4.        Protection against any harassment, victimization, and or discrimination based on race ethnicity, regionalism, sex or creed,

7.1.6.  Active participation in the designated activities of the organisation

7.2. All members shall be obliged to:

7.2.1.    Pledge their unswerving loyalty to the organisation and place them under its

overall discipline,

7.2.2.    Carry out decisions, duties and directives with diligence,

7.2.3.    Organize, participate and contribute positively to all SASCO activities and/or programs and to contribute to the strengthening of its organic unity,

7.2.4.        Rally all students to support and unite behind SASCO and actively participate in the creation of a united, non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous South Africa,

7.2.5.        Combat all forms of tribalism, regionalism and nepotism and any other forms of

discrimination based on sex and race and as well as combating factionalism and

malicious gossip within our ranks.

 8. Section Eight

8. Annual Congress

8.1.       The National Congress shall be the highest decision making body of the South African Students Congress,

8.2.             Receives and consider reports of the National Executive Committee, which shall be presented by the President, Secretary General and Treasurer General, deliberate on the policies and programs of the organisation,

8.3.             Have the power to elect or appoint any commission or committee and assign specific tasks and duties to such commission, committee or individual(s) as the case may be,

8.4.             Have the power to confer honors, associate membership, decorations and awards on members, organisations or individuals in appreciation or recognition of their role in the work of the South African Students and struggles for the birth of a united, non racial, non sexist prosperous and democratic South Africa.

9. Section Nine

9. Special Congress

9.1.             A Special Congress may be convened at any time to elect particular persons into

leadership vacancies and/or deliberate on major policy issues that need the

attention of Congress

9.2.             A Special Congress may be convened by the NEC at the request of two thirds of the Provinces of the organisation.  

10. Section 10

10. National General Council (NGC)

10.1      The NGC shall be convened twice in between Congresses.

10.2.          It shall assess the state of the organisation and any matter that desires the attention of the organisation,

10.3.     It shall have the power to decide on membership

11. Section Eleven

11. National Executive Committee (NEC)

11.1.          The National Executive committee shall be comprised of the following portfolios that would be filled through direct elections during the Annual congress.

11.1.1. President

11.1.2. Deputy President

11.1.3. Secretary General

11.1.4. Deputy Secretary

11.1.5. Treasurer General

11.1.6. Secretary for Information and Publicity

11.1.7. Secretary for International Affairs

11.1.8. Projects and Campaigns Officer

11.1.9. Deputy projects and Campaigns Officer

11.1.10. Gender Officer

11.1.11. Political Education Officer

11.1.12. Education and Transformation officer

11.1.13.       Deputy Education and Transformation Officer

11.2.                The NEC shall be elected annually by the AC,

11.3.                Such elections shall be based on one third majority women representation

11.4.                The AC or NEC may annually determine whether any of the portfolios shall be designated fulltime officials, incumbents and personnel of the organisation,

11.5.                The National Working Committee members may, in consultation with the NEC establish working groups or committees to assist them with their tasks,

11.6.                Provincial Chairpersons shall be ex officio members of the NEC and shall perform any task as mandated by the NEC or NWC, where a need arises.

12. Section Twelve

12. Duties of the National Executive Committee

12.1. President Shall:

12.1.1. Be the Chief Executive Officer of the Organisation,

12.1.2. Issue statements on behalf of the organisation and represent it when ever

necessary,

12.1.3. Preside at meetings of the NEC.

12.2. Deputy President Shall:

12.2.1. Deputies the President

12.2.2. Be responsible for lobbying SASCO policy within government, parliament of the

Republic of South Africa, and other governmental agencies,

12.2.3. Be responsible for disciplinary matters and the implementation of the disciplinary

code of SASCO.

12.3. Secretary General Shall:

12.3.1. Be the Chief Administrative Officer of the Organisation on a full time basis,

12.3.2. Keep a register of all members, branches and associate members,

12.3.3. Head the National Working Committee of the organisation

12.3.4. Be responsible for correspondence to and from the organisation

12.3.5. Keep minutes of all AC, NGC’s, NEC’s, NWC’s and any other special meetings,

12.3.6. Liaise with other bodies for the purpose of establishing and improving relations,

12.3.7. Constitute standing Committees and delegate specific functions whenever

necessary and draw up standing rules for standing committees,

12.3.8. Coordinate all NEC Meetings.

12.4. Deputy Secretary General

12.4.1. Deputize the Secretary General

12.5. Treasurer General

12.5.1. Liaise with the NEC and all PEC treasurers to ensure the financial coordination of

the organisation,

12.5.2. Open and operate banking accounts, in consent with the President and Secretary

General

12.5.3. Sign all cheques and financial documents, which shall be counter, signed by at

least one NEC member in consultation with the President and or Secretary

General or his/her Deputy,

12.5.4. Disburse and issue out monies for the organizational projects and for any purpose

approved by the NEC or NWC and receive any monies as may be due to the

organisation,

12.5.5. Issue monies to the PEC’s on the basis of need and upon a properly motivated

application including a budget as to how that shall be spent,

12.5.6. Keep records of all such applications and whenever necessary produce an income

and expenditure statement at an interval period of every three months,

12.5.7. Summon, if necessary a meeting of all Provincial Treasurers of the organisation to

discuss any financial aspect,

12.5.8.  Draw up an annual budget of the organisation to be presented for approval

12.5.9. Draw and prepare a financial statement of the organisation and such be audited

before presented to the AC.

12.6. Secretary for Information and Publicity

12.6.1. Issue media statements on behalf of the organisation in consultation with the

President and or Secretary General,

12.6.2. Be responsible for the external and internal publicity of the work of the

organisation,

12.6.3. Be responsible for the external and internal dissemination of information on the

organisation through various media forms as may be required.

12.7. Secretary for International Affairs

12.7.1. Coordinate the international work of the organisation

12.7.2. Liaise and maintain contact with the International Union of Students, All Africa

Students Union, Southern African Students Union and international organisations

to which the organisation is affiliated and national organisations from other

countries,

12.7.3. Maintain a proper image of the organisation internationally,

12.7.4. Represent the organisation internationally.

12.8. Projects and Campaigns Officer

12.8.1. Be responsible for the coordination of all national projects of the organisation,

12.8.2. Act as liaison between the NEC and the project officers of the organisation,

12.8.3. Make available information and resources to the provinces when required,

12.8.4. Keep progress reports of all projects of the organisation.

12.9. Deputy Projects and Campaigns officer

12.9.1. In collaboration with the Projects and Campaigns Officer carry out projects of the organisation and maintain them,

12.9.2.    In collaboration with the Projects and Campaigns Officer draw up a programme of action and package of organizational programmes,

12.9.3. In consent with the Treasurer General raise funds for projects of the organisation.

12.10. Gender Officer

12.10.1. Act as liaison between the NEC and gender subcommittees of organizational

  structures,

12.10.2. In conjunction with the Political Education Officer develop a program for  

            women students,

12.10.3.            Oversee the implementation of the gender programme of action.

12.11. Political Education Officer

12.11.1.Be responsible for the overall coordination of the political program of the organisation,

12.11.2.   Develop political education programmes and documents with relevant

portfolios in the organisation,

12.11.3. Develop and coordinate the political induction and training of SASCO members

12.12. Education and Transformation Officer

12.12.1. Establish policy institutions at national and local level in the organisation.

12.12.2. Head the national Education and transformation Project,

12.12.3. In conjunction with the political Education Officer, develop training

programmes around education,

12.12.4.Research educational matters and draw a proper program for the implementation of agreed upon programmes

12.12.4.Represent the organisation at all educational structures.

12.13. Deputy Education and Transformation Officer

12.13.1. Deputize the Education and Transformation Officer

12.13.2. Strengthen and maintain the policy capacity of the organisation by providing the

 structures of the organisation with relevant data when required.

13. Section Thirteen

13. National Working Committee (NWC)

13.1.The NWC shall be elected at the first meeting of the NEC,

13.2. The National Working Committee shall:

13.2.1. Carry out decisions and instructions of the NEC,

13.2.2. Ensure communication between provinces and the NEC,

13.2.3. Submit reports at each NEC meeting,

13.2.4. Coordinate and execute the day to day administrative tasks of the organisation,

13.2.5. Only members of the NWC and Head Office shall constitute it.

14. Section Fourteen

14. Provinces

14.1.          The demarcation of Provinces shall conform to the provincial demarcation as

provided in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa

15. Section Fifteen

15. Provincial Executive Committee

15.1. The Provincial Annual Congress shall elect the Provincial Executive Committee.

15.2. It shall consist of the following members:

15.2.1 Chairperson

15.2.2. Deputy Chairperson

15.2.3. Provincial Secretary

15.2.4. Deputy Provincial secretary

15.2.5. Provincial Treasurer

15.2.6. Secretary for Information and Publicity

15.2.7. Education and Transformation Officer

15.2.8. Political Education and Training Officer

15.2.9. Gender Officer

15.2.10. Projects and Campaigns Officer

15.3.     Regional Chairpersons shall be ex officio members of the PEC,

15.4.          The PEC shall, in its first meeting elect the Provincial Working Committee that

shall be constituted by not more than six persons,

15.5.     The Provincial Working Committee shall be composed by amongst others the Chairperson, Provincial Secretary and Provincial Treasurer.

16. Section Sixteen

16. Provincial General Council.

16.1.     The Provincial General Council herein referred to, as the PGC shall comprise of four

representatives per branch, the PEC and REC’s.

16.2.     It shall meet at least two times and as determined by the PEC were necessary,

16.3.     The PGC shall determine the program of action and make policy recommendations to the NGC and AC,

16.4.     It has powers to fill any vacant portfolios and elect a new PEC were necessary.

17. Section Seventeen

17. Regional Executive Committee

17.1. The Regional Executive Committee shall be constituted by:

17.1.1. Chairperson

17.1.2. Deputy Chairperson

17.1.3. Regional Secretary

17.1.4. Deputy Regional Secretary

17.1.5. Treasurer

17.1.6. Three (3) additional members

17.2.     The REC shall be an Executive and administrative body amongst branches that

constitute it.

17.3.     It shall oversee and monitor the implementation of organizational activities and

programs.

17.4.          Ensure launching of branches and establishment of database on membership

within its jurisdiction.

17.5.     It shall convene the Regional General Council at least twice annually

17.6.     Branch chairpersons shall be ex officio members of the Regional Executive

Committee.

18. Section Eighteen

18. Branches

18.1.          A branch shall consist of at least 25 members or any such number the AC may decide up on,

18.2.          There shall be a Branch Executive Committee (BEC) at each institution were a

branch exists,

18.3.          Each branch shall supervise all aspects of the activities of the organisation within the area of its jurisdiction,

18.4.          Each branch may submit to the REC, PEC PGC, PC, NEC, NGC or AC for consideration any recommendation concerning the organisation,

18.5.          The Branch Executive Committee shall be elected in the Branch Annual General Meeting and shall be comprised as follows:

18.5.1.  Chairperson

18.5.2.  Deputy Chairperson

18.5.3.  Branch Secretary

18.5.4.  Branch Deputy Secretary

18.5.5.  Branch Treasurer

18.5.6.  Media and Publicity Secretary

18.5.7.  Education and Transformation Officer

18.5.8.  Projects and Campaigns Officer

18.5.9.  Gender Officer

18.5.10. Political Education Officer

19. Section Nineteen

Discipline

19.1.          Discipline and conduct of members shall be regulated and governed herein by the Code of Conduct as adopted by the Annual Congress.

20. Section Twenty

20. Quorum

20.1.          The quorum of the NGC and the AC shall be a simple majority. If within two hours of the appointed meeting time a quorum is not formed, the meeting will stand adjourned for no longer than twenty four hours and no sooner than four hours. At the expiry of the adjourned time the meeting will proceed. The quorum shall not be constituted by less than one third of the registered branches at which at least five provinces are present.

20.2.          The quorum for all others structures shall be a simple majority. If a meeting does not quorate the decisions reached shall have the status.  

21. Section Twenty One

21. Subscriptions

Every person on becoming a member of the organisation shall pay 21.1. The AC shall determine a membership,

21.2.          Every member should renew their membership every year and pay the

membership fee,

21.3.     This annual membership fee must be paid to the Branch Treasurer by the 01 March of each year,

21.4.          No person shall occupy any executive position on any structure of the organisation unless she/he paid his or her membership fee,

21.5.          No person shall be able represent the organisation or vote on any of its policies unless they are paid.

22. Section Twenty-Two 

22. Voting

22.1. Voting at the AC shall be by delegates and the NEC

22.2. Congress shall be attended by delegates democratically elected from branches,

22.3. Voting at the PEC shall be delegates and the REC and PEC,

22.4. Voting at the branches shall be by branch members,

22.5. Voting at all meetings shall be by show of hands unless the meeting decides,

22.6. The term of office for elected in members shall be one year.

23. Section Twenty three

23. Elections

23.1. A Province or Branch shall propose elections to the NEC,

23.2. NEC members shall be elected at the AC,

23.3. PEC members shall be elected at the Provincial Congress,

23.4. REC members shall be elected at the Regional Congress,

23.5. BEC members shall be elected at the Branch AGM.

23.6. Independent Electoral Commission (IEC)

23.6.1. The Functions of the IEC shall be:

23.6.1.1. To oversee and administer the entire elections process,

23.6.1.2. To ensure that the elections are free and fair,

23.6.1.3.    Have a final word in case of any allegations of fraud or any other behavior that may jeopardize free and fair elections,

23.6.1.4.   Ensure that only branch delegates, PEC’s and NEC shall be the only eligible voters through established credentials at the beginning of Congress,

23.6.1.5.   Handle all Protests,

23.6.1.6.   Count and Confirm Elections Results.

23.7.              Nominations to the NEC

23.7.1.  Nomination shall be by a Branch or Province,

23.7.2. In order for the nomination to be in the final list, support of eight branches from   

other provinces as other than where the nominee comes from,

23.7.3.    The same rules shall apply to all classes of election.

23.8.        Balloting for the NEC

23.8.1. There shall be two ballot papers

23.8.2. The first ballot shall be for the President, Deputy President, Secretary general,

Deputy Secretary general and Treasurer General,

23.8.3.The second ballot shall be for the other portfolios provided for in the constitution,

23.8.4.  Elections should be announced during Congress.

23.9.        Protests

23.9.1. Any Protest regarding the elections must be handed in writing to the IEC

within twenty-four hours of the announcement of the elections results,

23.9.2.  Protests must have the support of at least five branches,

23.9.3.    In case of a successful protest, new elections shall be held within twelve

hours.

24. Section Twenty Four

24.             Amendment to the Constitution

24.1.          Any amendment to this constitution shall be submitted to National Congress for consideration and can be passed by a two-thirds majority vote.

25. Section Twenty Five

25. Dissolution

25.1.          The National Congress of the South African Students Congress shall be entitled to decide on the dissolution of the organisation. Such a decision shall be subjected to adoption or rejection at the National Congress by a two-thirds vote.

25.2.     Upon dissolution or winding up, the assets of the organisation, remaining after

satisfaction of all its liabilities shall be entrusted in the hands of any person as

decided by Congress for disposal.

26. Section Twenty Six

26. Structure Of the South African Students Congress shall be as follows:

26.1. National Congress

26.2    National General Council

26.3.   National Executive Committee

26.4.   National Working Committee

26.5.   Provincial Congress

26.6.     Provincial General Council

26.7  .   Provincial Executive Committee

26.8  .   Provincial Working Committee

26.9      Regional Annual General Meeting

26.10      Regional Executive Committee

26.11      Branch Annual general Meeting

26.12      Branch Executive Committee

26.13      Branch General Meeting

South African Students Congress

Code of Conduct

Annexure to the Constitution

1. Introduction

Ø       SASCO is an independent student organisation of South Africa pursuing tertiary education transformation, in order to meet its aims and objectives, all its members have voluntarily joined accepting its common discipline,

Ø       The basic rights and duties of all members are therefore set out in the Constitution,

Ø       This document must therefore be seen as complementing and reinforcing rather than replacing or modifying the fundamental principles of the organisation as stated in the Constitution,

Ø       The Code of Conduct seeks to create our own standards based on the traditions of our struggle in line with our strategic objectives and convictions,

Ø       This is a document which by its nature needs to be studied and understood by the whole membership, for in last resort, it is higher political consciousness and the voluntary assumption of rights and duties by the members, which lies at the heart of the discipline of our members and Cadres.

2. Classification of offences

2.1.   Grave offences against the organisation

2.1.1.        Any offence aimed at destroying the integrity of the organisation, its personnel, property, or its fighting capacity, shall be considered a grave offence.

2.1.2.        A grave offence shall be committed by a person who inter alia:

(a)    With intent to destroy the integrity of the organisation, its personnel, property or its fighting capacity:

1.       Sabotages the activities of the organisation,

2.       Creates divisions within the ranks of the organisation,

3.       Impair its proper functioning,

4.       Attacks or threatens to attack or put in jeopardy its personnel, property, and programmes,

5.       Does any thing or act in a calculated manner deemed to undermine its effectiveness as an organisation,

6.       Sexual Violence.

(b)    Infiltrate the organisation acting on behalf or in collaboration with:

1.       Other organisations, groups or person hostile to the policies and principles of SASCO,

2.       Any person or group who wishes to destroy the organisation or prevent it from fulfilling its set aims and objectives.

22. Serious Offences

2.2.1.    Any violation of the principles of the organization and standards of behavior

expected of members, which seriously threatens the safety, property, good

name of SASCO or which impedes its functions, or which relates or is

calculated to create disunity and demoralization amongst its members, shall

be considered a serious offence.

22.2. Such Offences shall include:

1. Acting in a manner that exposes members to serious harm or death,
2. Deliberately destroying the property of the organisation or recklessly exposing it to danger,
3. Behaving dishonestly in respect of the property of the organisation,
4. Carelessly passing information that may be of substantial use to the opponents of the organisation,
5. Espionage,
6. Accepting or seeking to accept any illicit reward for performing or not performing any task(s) on behalf of the organisation,
7. Abusing office by using one position to obtain material or sexual favours or other undue advantages from members or other persons,
8. Fighting or behaving in a grossly disorderly or unruly manner,
9. Dealing in and consuming drugs,
10. Persistently sowing racial, tribalism, regionalism and sexism in the organisation,
11. Behaving in such a way as to provide serious divisions and a break down of unity in the organisation,
12. Sexually assaulting or in any other way seriously offending the dignity of members,
13. Persistently and without cause undermining the respect for or impeding the functioning of the structures of the organisation,
14. Engaging in organized factional activity that goes outside the recognized norms of free debate in a manner that threatens the unity of the organisation,

2.2.   Violations of Discipline

2.3.1.    Any person who acts in a un comradely fashion or manner and

breaches the standard of conduct normally expected of members, and whose behaviour is not so serious to constitute a grave offence, shall be guilty of violation of discipline,

2.3.2.    In addition to all the forms of misconduct mentioned in this code

of conduct and other official documents of the organisation, violation

of discipline shall include:

1.       Rowdy and aggressive behaviour,

2.       Abusive and disrespectful behaviour to other comrades,

3.       Gossiping maliciously to set comrades against each other,

4.       Carelessness in relation to the property of the organisation,

5.       Interfering and disrupting the orderly functioning of the organisation

6.       Any negligent behaviour that harms or threatens to harm the organisation and or its members

3. General Guiding Principles for Classifying Offences and Violations of the Code of Conduct:

3.1.   The difference between a grave offence and serious offence lie in the degree to which the offender(s) conduct is directed towards destroying, subverting, neutralizing the effectiveness of the organisation,

3.2.   The difference between a serious offence and a violation of discipline lie in the degree of intent of the offender, the extent of the actual and or potential harm to the organisation, the extent of the repetition and what would normally be regarded as a breach of discipline.

4. Schedule of Penalties

4.1.   Should one be found guilty of a grave or serious offence or violation of discipline, one shall be liable to, with the harsher sentences qualifying largely in the former instance:

4.1.1.        Re deployment,

4.1.2.        Demotion,

4.1.3.        Deposition,

4.1.4.        Temporary forfeiture of membership rights,

4.1.5.        Suspension,

4.1.6.        Expulsion.

5. Disciplinary Procedure

5.1.   Adjudicating Bodies

1. An executive committee of a branch or any leadership organ of the organisation shall be the adjudicating body in any disciplinary matter,
2. A complainant shall lay a charge with the Secretary of such structure who shall bring the matter to the attention of the body concern.

5.2.   Recommendations for Expulsion

1. A recommendation for expulsion for an offence classified as grave or serious lies within the power of the adjudicating body, but is to be ratified by Congress.

5.3.   Suspension

1. When a member is suspended, the organ suspending him/her shall state the period and conditions of such suspension,
2. In respect of serious offences, the period of suspension shall not exceed two months.

5.4.   Reprimand

1. Reprimand shall be in public (in the presence of as many fellow members) here the organisations media apparatus shall be utilized if necessary or and appropriate. The objective of a reprimand shall not be to humiliate the person concern, but to remind him/her and the whole membership of the standards expected of members, and to reinforce a sense of unity and shared values in the organisation.

5.5.   Demotion

1. A member who holds a position of responsibility in the organisation will be demoted if the continued holding of the position is indefensible owing to the conduct or failure to act or is in explicable or embarrassing because of a particular transgression.

5.6.   Right of Appeal

1. An accused or member who has been found guilty of a particular offence shall have a right of appeal to a senior organ. The National executive Committee shall be the Supreme Appeal Body in between Congresses. In case of the accused being an NEC member the Supreme Appellate Body in between Congresses shall be the National General Council.

6. The Branch Structure and its Powers over Violations of Discipline

1.       The Branch Executive Committee shall be competent to deal with all categories of misconduct and impose appropriate penalties prescribed in this Code of Conduct with the exclusion of the penalties, which would amount to expulsion.