Mantashe bid to halt party faction court challenge

AN Eastern Cape faction of the ANC that turned to the court to nullify the outcome of the party’s provincial elective conference (PEC) has agreed instead to submit themselves to the ANC’s internal processes‚ and the case before the court should not be allowed to go ahead.

This was said by ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe yesterday.

The ANC had applied to the Grahamstown High Court to allow Mantashe’s last-minute affidavit to be admitted into evidence.

The party and its elected chair‚ Oscar Mabuyane‚ are opposing the application brought by 11 ANC members disenchanted by the outcome of the PEC‚ which was marred by violence on election day.

Most of premier Phumulo Masualle’s supporters had left the conference and Mabuyane was elected with a massive majority as a result.

The matter was supposed to be argued in the Grahamstown High Court today‚ but was adjourned until Monday to allow lawyers for the applicants – which include ANC OR Tambo region members Nomawethu Mgabadeli‚ Bulelwa Madikida‚ Baxolile Kulu‚ Kayo Marhini and Ntselwa Nompilo – to file papers opposing the attempt to have Mantashe’s affidavit admitted into evidence.

In the affidavit to the court‚ Mantashe said the applicants sent the ANC a letter earlier this month‚ confirming that they had made a decision to withdraw the court application and allow the ANC internal processes to take place.

The gap within which the application can be heard is closing fast‚ as the ANC’s national elective conference is due to start on December 16 until December 20 at Nasrec, in Gauteng. – TimesLIVE