ANC, disband five regions

The past weekend’s ANC national executive committee (NEC) meeting and its outcomes are warmly welcomed (“E Cape ANC warns of ‘crisis’ if top brass is ousted”, March 23). The NEC under the leadership of Cyril Ramaphosa showed its strength when it comes to rebuilding the ANC, and indeed reaffirmed the new dawn of renewal and unity.

The outcome in the Eastern Cape is embraced. It is a relief to the people of the province and the ANC branches that during the eighth Eastern Cape provincial elective conference (PEC) Oscar Mabuyane was elected as the provincial chairperson. The endorsement of the PEC is a clear message that the new NEC will never allow anarchy.

Those who were behind the disbandment of the PEC because of their selfish interests have been told clearly that the ANC is not an organisation of anarchists. Most branches feel vindicated.

My call to the PEC is to ensure that the Eastern Cape is a home of discipline. Those undermining the PEC, which was endorsed by the NEC, must be disciplined.

Further, the reshuffling of the executive council in Bhisho must happen speedily. Those MECs who don’t toe the line must be reshuffled. The PEC must not purge, but rather must show that the ANC is the only centre of power. It should further communicate to members that deployment is not an entitlement attached to status.

Five regions (Nelson Mandela Metro, Amathole, Dr WB Rubusana, Joe Gqabi and Chris Hani) must be disbanded. They are sowing divisions in the ANC and their municipalities are dysfunctional because of structures defying the PEC. The ANC should disband them and appoint task teams with a mandate to deliver united regional conferences that respect the ANC.

We need leaders whose hearts are devoted to our people, not just their immediate families and friends.