More support for Masualle and Mabuyane
DR W B Rubusana has become the first ANC region to officially enter the party’s provincial succession debate after their weekend meeting endorsed retaining the status quo come the July elective conference.
At the meeting on Sunday, the region agreed that current provincial chairman Phumulo Masualle should return for a third term as provincial chairman.
They also resolved that Oscar Mabuyane should remain provincial secretary.
Regional chairman Xola Pakati confirmed this yesterday, but would not comment further.
“We will reveal further details in a press conference likely to be on Wednesday,” he said.
The endorsement is another major boost to Masualle’s campaign for another term after receiving a nod from the ANC Youth League in the province last week.
Masualle confirmed he was willing to stand should the branches nominate him.
The decision can also be seen as a victory for Pakati, who does not see eye to eye with the region’s suspended secretary, Pumlani Mkolo.
Pakati, who is also the Buffalo City Metro mayor, and Mkolo have been on a collision course over the running of the municipality.
The latter is seen to be interfering in the affairs of the municipality despite being on suspension by his party.
Pakati is believed to have close ties to Masualle while Mkolo is Mabuyane’s ally.
The Sunday resolution could be an indication of Mkolo losing control of the East Londonbased region, an area which he has had firmly in his grip.
Earlier indications were that Mabuyane would challenge Masualle, but the Dr WB Rubusana region believes such a contest will deeply divide the party in the province, said a senior regional executive committee (REC) member.
According to the REC member, who asked to remain anonymous because he was not the recognised communicator of such decisions to media, the meeting resolved that unity in the provincial leadership structure would be paramount ahead of the highly-anticipated national conference in December.
“Already there are many names being thrown into the hat to run for the chairperson position such as that of Oscar Mabuyane, Stella NdabeniAbrahams and Mlibo Qoboshiyane but we think it’s a recipe for instability and divisions, hence [we prefer] the status quo,” said the source.
“Disunity in the provincial structure is something the ANC does not need building up to the December 2017 party national conference – where as the province we need to speak in one voice – and 2019 general elections, where we need to retain our status as the government in this province.”