‘The rebels’ to return confidently to court
‘Victory has already set in for us and I doubt we will be in court for too long’
LAWRENCE DUBE and his fellow applicants say they will return with confidence to the Pietermaritzburg High Court today to hear whether their application, for leave to execute judgment of a previous order, was successful.
Dube and others, unofficially known as the rebels, brought an application for leave to execute judgment pending any appeal.
If the rebels are granted their application, it would mean that the original September court order to dissolve the KZN PEC would take effect, until the appeal by the Provincial Executive Committee was heard and concluded.
Dube was the main applicant in the high court case against the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal, who walked away victorious when they challenged the results of the ANC’s 2015 provincial elective conference, which saw Sihle Zikalala replace former premier Senzo Mchunu as the provincial chairperson.
The judgment of the full bench of the Pietermaritzburg High Court effectively disbanded the leadership structure, led by Zikalala.
The Provincial Executive Committee appealed the court judgment before the National Executive Committee could make a decision on the prospects of an appeal.
“Victory has already set in for us and I doubt we will be in court for too long,” said a confident Dube.
It seems that today’s appearance in the 16-month legal battle will not see hundreds of supporters outside court as has been the case in previous court appearances.
Both Dube and ANC provincial spokesperson Mdumiseni Ntuli said that they did not plan on asking supporters to accompany them to court.
Dube said that they did not mobilise any supporters to join them outside the court and he will be in the courtroom with those who are “interested and close” to him.
Ntuli said that he would also be at the High Court and the ANC leadership did not invite anyone “except a few of us who are permitted inside the courtroom”.
Spokesperson for the applicants, Sthembiso Mshengu said they were just expecting those who can attend to be at the court to show their support but there was no planned support arranged.