ANC hopefuls line up for Western Cape post
THE ANC in the Western Cape is finally gearing up to replace its erstwhile chairman‚ Marius Fransman‚ after he was kicked out by the party amid sexual harassment charges.
Deputy Police Minister Bongani Mkongi and Western Cape Legislature members Richard Dyantyi and Cameron Dugmore are said to be some of the front-runners eyeing the top post.
ANC insiders, who did not want to be named, have also said Dullah Omar region chairman Xolani Sotashe is one of the contenders.
Provincial secretary Faize Jacobs confirmed that the party would go to a provincial general council in October at which a replacement for Fransman would be elected.
A provincial executive committee (PEC) member close to Mkongi said an election of a chairman was essential because the party had a weak secretary.
“[Mkongi] wants to be the chair of the province‚” the PEC member said.
Mkongi is said to have the support of the provincial ANC Youth League but insiders said the league had no real structures in the province.
Another ANC insider said Dyantyi was a strong contender because he was backed by a grouping which supports Cyril Ramaphosa to take over as the new president of the ANC in December.
A large number of the PEC leaders are seen to be supporters of Ramaphosa. Another source said both Dyantyi and Mkongi were in with a strong chance, but Dugmore could be a good compromise candidate as he was not entrenched in any of the provincial factions.
However‚ this meant that he had no definite support.