Battle for Bhisho posts is on
Nine councillors from list of 33 sent to Magashule in line for legislature posts
At least nine councillors in the Eastern Cape are likely to graduate to the legislature from the 33 that have been presented in its list process to the ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule.
OR Tambo mayor Nomakhosazana Meth, Matatiele mayor Nomelezi Mbedla and Buffalo City Metro councillor Sindiswa Gomba are among local councillors who made it to the finalised list at Luthuli House.
Gomba, who was placed first at No 6 for the Bhisho legislature, has moved down the list and is placed 15th on the ANC provincial list. In the last general elections in 2014, the ANC won 45 seats, followed by the DA with 10 seats and UDM at four seats.
The provincial legislature consists of 63 members. Deputy speaker Mlibo Qoboshiyane will likely make a comeback as an MEC in the legislature having been named No 7 in the finalised list.
Some names from the former ANC provincial chair Phumulo Masualle camp have been snubbed appearing at the bottom of those recommended to the legislature.
These include Temba Tinta, who was arrested on fraud and money laundering allegations involving R5.9m meant for memorial service events after former president Nelson Mandela died in 2013, only made it to number 59 from his original rank of 50, as well as former Transport MEC Thandiswa Marawu. Noticeably absent from the list is ANC Nelson Mandela Bay leader, Andile Lungisa, who was snubbed from both the province to national list as well as the names intended for the legislature.
Other noteworthy names on the list are former COPE Amathole regional chair turned ANC PEC member Thabo Matiwane, outgoing Young Communist League national secretary Mluleki Dlelanga as well as the PEC’s youngest member, Zinziswa Rabe.
According to the ANC provincial list which the Daily Dispatch has seen, the Eastern Cape has over 58% female representation and seven from the youth.
ANC provincial secretary Lulama Ngcukayitobi presented the list on Tuesday to Magashule at Luthuli House in Johannesburg.
However, a meeting to decide whether to replace or retain the names of ANC members facing criminal charges on the party’s candidate’s lists has been shelved until January 4. Under scrutiny at the meeting would have been candidate’s lists submitted by each of the nine provinces. In an earlier interview with the Dispatch, Ngcukayitobi has said the list would be subject to scrutiny.
“Expectedly the processes that follow will be a rigorous screening of candidates to ensure that all candidates that would represent the ANC are above reproach and meet all the necessary requirements of good standing in society.”
The party set the bar two weeks ago when its provincial leaders in Limpopo and North West resolved to remove all mayors who were implicated in the VBS scandal.