Contention over the upcoming Free State ANC PEC

Free State African National Congress disgruntled members say they are adamant that the party’s provincial elective conference which starts on Sunday is illegitimate.

This after PEC announced that it would go ahead with the elective conference.

Disgruntled members say the dispute resolution committee is yet to respond to disputes lodged by 90 branches.

The provincial elective conference has been postponed three times as disgruntled members complained that the term of the PEC had expired.

The ANC in the province has announced that its elective conference will take place on Sunday.

This is due to some disputed branches which were busy reconvening their meetings.

There has been clashes and disruptions between ANC members supporting presidential candidates Dr Nkosazana Dlamini- Zuma and Cyril Ramaphosa at some of these branches.

Some members were not allowed to be part of the meetings.

ANC Spokesperson Thabo Meeko says the elective conference will take place on Sunday.

“There has been a number of new and dangerous tendencies that are pursued in the ANC. We have been dealing with those things. We have engaged those comrades we must defer, but the ANC must go to its conference.”

Disgruntled members leader, Monnapule Ntamo says by allowing the elective conference to continue, the PEC will not be complying as some branches are still busy with branch general meetings.

“The worst part is that there is a branch, Bethlehem Ward 4, that has been convened for Thursday. People have received notices today. Some were called through loudhailers. It is telling you there is no compliance. However, we are still awaiting for the dispute committee to come down to the Free State to give answers to almost 90 branches interviewed by them on their disputes.”

Political analyst from University of Free State Sethulego Matebesi says for the PEC to go ahead with an elective conference it’s an insult to democracy.

“I strongly believe seven days to try and sort out all the problems the ANC is facing are not enough. I think it is an insult to democracy within the ANC.”

Matebesi says despite disagreements in the provinces the national elective conference will go ahead.