Free State ANC event in jeopardy

Faction vows to interdict Magashule in high court

A faction against Ace Magashule is planning to approach the court again if Luthuli House allows the December ANC Free State provincial conference to take place under his supervision.

The provincial executive committee (PEC) led by Magashule, a known President Jacob Zuma supporter, has been instructed by the high court in Free State to hold the conference from December 1 to 3. But yesterday it emerged that ANC deputy provincial chairman Thabo Manyoni and his faction were planning a court action if Magashule and the PEC preside over the preparations for the conference.

“Ace Magashule and his PEC mandate expired in April. If they decide to rob processes and preside over the preparations for the province when their mandate has expired, we are going to interdict that conference,” an ANC member aligned to Manyoni and Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa said.

Another ANC member said: “We are busy with branch general meetings for the provincial conference. When will we get time to hold branch general meetings for the national conference? This means Free State will not have a delegation at the national conference.”

This latest development comes amid growing concerns that the ANC could be forced to postpone its elective national conference due to court battles involving provinces such as KwaZulu-Natal and Free State.

ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe had instructed ANC regions and provinces not to hold their conferences after September 30, but his decision has been overturned by the court.