The African National Congress (ANC) in Parliament is going to come down hard on truant MPs, chief whip Jackson Mthembu has said.

This might include recommending that MPs who were constantly absent from their duties be recalled and replaced with "better ones," he said on Tuesday at a press conference.

This was one of the decisions made at the party's midterm review caucus lekgotla.

"The lekgotla has resolved that MPs who are found by the caucus disciplinary committee to have repeatedly absconded or violated the code of conduct must be recommended to the ANC for their immediate recall from Parliament," he said.

The public deserved representatives who took their parliamentary tasks seriously and demonstrated commitment to serve, he said.

"This harsher measure seeks to encourage diligence and uprightness, faithful presence in the House and committees, and an attitude of respect and accountability towards the electorate by MPs. MPs who repeatedly demonstrate scant regard for the duties entrusted on them by the electorate must make way for those who are prepared to serve with dedication."

This, he clarified, did not include MPs who were sick and had valid doctor's letters and notes.

He did not want to create an impression that ANC MPs were truants, he said, as many attended to their duties and responsibilities.

Madikizela-Mandela not playing 'truant'

There are a few, he said, who were serial offenders in absenteeism and were appearing in front of the caucus disciplinary committee.

"We are saying if they continue to repeat their disregard for their responsibilities, send them packing."

There were five or six MPs, he said, who were absent due to health reasons, and were not included in the list of truant MPs.

This included ANC stalwart Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, an MP who is never at Parliament.

"There are many, five or six, who have been in and out of hospital for various reasons and we do have their records from their doctors. That includes MaWinnie, we have her records from her doctors. It's not only her, there are many. About five or six. We are not including those comrades as delinquent MPs," Mthembu said.

This was tailored to dealing with MPs who came to Cape Town to attend meetings and Parliamentary sittings, but did not show up in the House or in the committees.

"[They] are probably at the Waterfront or whatever. That qualifies as truant and delinquent and MaWinnie does not fall under that. Those who do are being attended to as we speak.”