Snyman fired over slate politics
TENSIONS in the Western Cape ANC have again divided the party – this time in the Boland region, after its secretary Jonton Snyman was fired because of “slate politics”.
Snyman has found himself in hot water amid allegations that he is campaigning for Human Settlements Minister Lindiwe Sisulu to be the next president of the party.
Sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Snyman was aligned to the group campaigning for Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, but in a surprise move decided to campaign for Sisulu.
Khaya Magaxa, ANC provincial chairperson, said he’s aware of the divisions and tensions in the party’s Boland region.
“But the issue of Jonton being suspended because of Lindiwe Sisulu is total rubbish. We don’t suspend people because they support a certain candidate. That is unANC.
“Jonton did not comply with a procedural issue within the ANC. That is why he has been suspended, pending a disciplinary investigation,” he added.
Magaxa said the matter is sub judice.
A second source close to the Boland region said: “Faiez Jacobs was fairly unknown before his mysterious ascent to provincial secretary.
“Remember, this is the same man who lost all positions, including that of additional member to the regional executive committee of the Dullah Omar region just weeks prior to Faiez becoming provincial secretary at the behest of the rural branches. The same rural branches will take him back where he belongs.”
A third source said Snyman was suspended for his open call for an early provincial conference and for the removal of Jacobs.
“Faiez might have won this battle, but he will most certainly come second in the war. The likes of Jonton propelled him into the position he is currently in and with his newfound friends and advisers like Philip Dexter and Ebrahim Rasool (both without constituencies and influence in the ANC). It’s not rocket science to determine who will be the victor in the war,” the source said.
Snyman was issued with a letter of suspension by Jacobs on Friday.
The Cape Argus first reported about Snyman’s case after the owner of Dunn’s Castle Chalets in Piketberg, Lesley van Huyssteen, visited the ANC’s regional office to complain about Snyman and Fallon Arendse, an administrative worker at the ANC’s provincial headquarters, who booked her guesthouse a few days before a by-election in Piketberg’s ward 5 in August, which the ANC won.
The ANC’s national disciplinary committee overturned a decision of the provincial disciplinary committee and Snyman was charged with misconduct.