ANC sacks whip over sex scandal

Mbulelo Goniwe's case is the latest scandal to hit the ANC

South Africa's ruling African National Congress has sacked its chief whip for sexually harassing a parliamentary intern, a party spokesman said.

Mbulelo Goniwe was expelled from the party and removed as a member of South Africa's parliament following a disciplinary investigation.

Mr Goniwe was suspended in November after he was accused of propositioning a female intern at a party at his home.

He will be prohibited from holding public office for three years.

An ANC disciplinary committee found him guilty of sexual harassment and bringing the party into disrepute.

Recent scandals

"He has been fired with immediate effect," ANC spokesman Smuts Ngonyama told the AFP news agency.

This is the latest scandal to hit the ANC in recent months.

A corruption trial against South African Deputy President Jacob Zuma collapsed in September.

Mr Zuma was cleared of rape charges in May.

Mr Goniwe's predecessor as chief whip was forced to resign following fraud charges and is now serving a four-year prison sentence.