Talks on violence at branch meeting falter

ANC discussion on what to do about Sunday’s violencemarred Chris Hani branch general meeting, which saw five ANC members hospitalised with stab wounds or injuries from flying stones, faltered when the regional working committee failed to reach its quorum and was abandoned this week.

ANC regional secretary Lusanda Sizani told the Dispatch: “The RWC meeting did not quorate as members of the women’s league who serve in the RWC are attending a women’s lekgotla in Peddie.

“On Monday we have a PEC meeting and we will most probably have the RWC meeting on Tuesday.”

The violent outburst at the Bonkolo Dam conference centre was supposed to have been discussed during the Chris Hani regional working committee (RWC) meeting on Wednesday.

The Dispatch reported on Tuesday that Noxolo Zuba, Solethu Peter, Xolisa Dyubili, Songezo Vazi and Thandokazi Mooi were identified as victims.

Peter said she was stabbed in her arms and pelted with stones on the head and upper body.

This was after one group of branch members tried to block another group from accessing the meeting venue.

A new branch executive and delegates to the month-end provincial elective conference were to be elected at the meeting by ward 18 members.

Sizani described the incident as barbaric, and constitutionally and politically incorrect.

The assault occurred shortly after the ANC NEC head of deployees in the Eastern Cape Zizi Kodwa told the members at the conference centre that unruly behaviour was not acceptable. Kodwa had said it was disturbing to see that ANC members would die for an individual.

During the fracas, REC member and former ward councillor Nombuyiselo Ndlebe’s 2008 model Chevrolet Spark was overturned by an angry mob.

The ward Lesseyton Zingquthu.

Chris Hani region is divided as the party is expected to hold its elective conference from September 27 to 30 in East London.

The region initially supported the top five to hold their positions for a third term.

However, following a policy document discussion meeting in June, branches voiced their support for provincial secretary Oscar Mabuyane to take over from incumbent Phumulo Masualle as chairman.

Sizani is seen as a Mabuyane supporter while regional chairwoman Kholiswa Vimbayo is campaigning for Masualle to serve a third term. includes and