EC Sanco infighting rages on after senior leaders’ peace bid

WEEKS after South African National Civic Organisation president Richard Mdakana and five other office-bearers came to the Eastern Cape to call for unity, the provincial executive committee are back fighting.

Last Friday, Sanco provincial chairman Zukile Luyenge wrote a letter of suspension to the provincial secretary Tony Duba.

In what was seen as retaliation to Luyenge’s letter, Duba wrote his own letter to the organisation’s deputy chairman Dan Bolman – suspending him.

Mdakana told the Daily Dispatch that PEC members should refrain from firing each other and concentrate on their coming congress.

“The Eastern Cape has been divided for the past 22 years – there has to come a time that comes to a stop. When we came to the Eastern Cape we came to call for unity,” said Mdakana.

Duba yesterday said he had seen the letter written to him by Luyenge and that he refused to “recognise” it, saying the letter of suspension was written without following correct procedure.

“You cannot go to your little corner and then decide to suspend someone. I have since contacted the secretary-general on the matter,” said Duba.

Duba, who is also an ANC whip in the Eastern Cape legislature, has been accused of embezzling close to R250 000 from Sanco.

Duba also stood to be elected as the ANC’s Nelson Mandela Bay regional chair.

Luyenge said disciplinary processes against Duba were going ahead.

“[Mr] Duba and his cronies are hell-bent on disrupting the preparations for an inclusive congress.

“He goes around denouncing officials that were elected in the same conference.

“Whether Duba recognises the suspension or not, the disciplinary process of the organisation will go ahead,” said Luyenge.

Sanco in the Eastern Cape will hold its elective conference in November this year.

In the suspension letter the provincial chairman, claims that Duba withdrew “huge amounts of money” without authorisation from the organisation’s accounts. —