There is a likelihood that the sitting of the much-anticipated Mpumalanga African National Congress (ANC) elective conference may be decided by the courts. Disgruntled ANC members have threatened to interdict the party’s provincial conference.
They insist that proper procedure wasn’t followed during the appointment of the provincial task team. This after, the Provincial Executive Committee was disbanded.
Preparations are under way for the ANC provincial elective conference (PEC) in Mpumalanga. The party has not held a conference since the departure of former Provincial Chairperson, David Mabuza, who was elected deputy president in 2017.
Last week, the ANC NEC disbanded the PEC, because it has outlived its lifespan. But, the road towards the regional elective conference has been rocky, with some members losing their lives.
In 2020 party member, Prince Manzini, died after he was assaulted during an ANC branch general meeting. Five other party members sustained injuries after they were shot at during a branch meeting in Nkomazi.
But, former ANC acting secretary, currently provincial task team co-ordinator, Lindiwe Ntshalintshali, says they are ready for the conference.
“As the province, we are saying we are ready because we have reviewed our roadmap and we have written to the office of the TG to say the province is ready. And we are not shying away from anybody, you know national conferences rotate provinces, and the same applies here. Mpumalanga, we have three districts and as we must give other regions a benefit to host.”
However, some members are planning to approach the courts to interdict the elective conference. ANC senior member, Peter Nyoni says they are not happy with the processes that were followed to establish the part’s provincial task team.
“We want to say we are going back to court and we are going to interdict this conference. This conference is not in the best interest of the ANC. It is in their own best interest because you would understand and appreciate that what manifests in the province is what is happening at the national level. We know that this is an attempt by the NWC to serve their own needs using Mpumalanga.”
Nyoni also claims certain senior members were side-lined when the task team was formed.
“Comrades like Charles Makola, who according to us has got what it takes to shape the politics of the province within the collective. Another one is comrade BJ Nobunga, also a seasoned comrade that we strongly believe can assist the African Nation Congress. So there are a number of comrades that we feel can be part of the interim provincial committee that would actually assist the ANC going forward given the fact that our performance at the local government level tells you that we fell below our own standards as the African National Congress.”
ANC president, Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to attend a meeting by the party in Mbombela on Monday.
ANC leadership disbands the National Working Committee in Mpumalanga:
