The African National Congress (ANC) has moved to “protect its integrity and reputation” by asking Derek Hanekom, the chairperson of the party’s National Disciplinary Committee (NDC), to give reasons – within 10 days – why he must not be removed from his post.

Hanekom, who was fired as tourism minister after he called for President Jacob Zuma to step down, offended the ANC with a couple of tweets before the no confidence motion earlier this month. Zuma survived the motion after a secret ballot in which it became clear that some ANC members voted with the opposition on 8 August.

Before the ballot, Hanekom tweeted: “Dispel this notion of ‘voting with the opposition’. We must vote against state capture, massive looting and corruption. Vote for change”. And also: “Secret ballot. No retribution because no one will know how you voted. But this must be a vote against state capture!”.

On Sunday night the ANC asked Hanekom to give reasons why he should not be kicked out of his NDC position.

ANC Secretary General Gwede Mantashe wrote: “In order to protect the integrity and reputation of the ANC and its disciplinary structure, the NDC, you are required to show cause within 10 calendar days from the date of this letter why, after making such public utterances, you should not be removed as chairperson of the NDC”.

Hanekom could not be immediately reached for comment.