Alfred Nzo set for elective meeting

Top five spots likely to be uncontested, in first for the party

ANC national auditors descended upon the Alfred Nzo region yesterday to verify outcomes of branch general meetings held in the past weeks, as the region prepares for its elective conference. The conference is likely to set a precedent in the history of the party since its unbanning, as the top five positions might not be contested.

Regional chairman Sixolise Mehlomakhulu, his deputy Momelezi Mbedla, regional secretary Vikile Mahlelembana, deputy secretary Tsileng Sobuthongo, as well as treasurer Babalo Madikizela, are all likely to serve a second term in their respective positions, which remain uncontested, according to several sources close to the branch nomination processes.

The party banned all regions from opening branch nomination envelopes before elective conferences, as per a national executive committee resolution taken last year.

Mehlomakhulu confirmed yesterday conference preparations were at “an advanced stage” and that the region was targeting next weekend to convene the elective meeting.

He said three venues had been block-booked already – Mzamba Hotel in Bizana, the Mt Frere Town Hall and the Matatiele Town Hall.

“We have already made reservations at all these three venues for our regional conference which we are confident will be held anytime between this weekend and June 15.

“It is clear we won’t go for it this weekend, but definitely next weekend we will, if the auditors give us clearance on Friday,” he said.

The region covers areas such as KwaBhaca (Mt Frere), Matatiele, Mbizana, and Emaxesibeni (Mt Ayliff) and has 105 ANC branches in good standing.

Only 91 of these branches passed audits in order to be able to convene branch general meetings.

Mehlomakhulu said of these 91, only eight branches wanted their BGM outcomes reviewed.

“That puts us in good standing as a region because already we have met the 70% threshold required to qualify to convene an elective conference.”

The region has also been spared the setback experienced by the party when two computers containing the membership database of some of the regions as well as memory cards were stolen from a vehicle three weeks ago. The Dispatch reported on the incident, with provincial secretary Oscar Mabuyane confirming the theft.

Mehlomakhulu confirmed yesterday that the region was not affected by the incident, which is under police investigation.

Once the auditors finish verifying information of those who took part in the BGMs of the 91 branches, the regional executive committee (Rec) will convene a meeting to craft a roadmap to the conference.

“By late on Friday we will be in a position as the Rec to say where we will convene our elective conference . . . and when exactly will registration for the conference be done,” he said. — zineg@dispatch.co.za