Voting for Sizani a ‘death warrant’ – Oliphant

The ANC Chris Hani region has indicated it is ready for the elective conference next week in spite of brewing tensions with one leader over the placement of an administrator in the Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality (EMLM).

ANC Komani cluster co-ordinator and ward 9 chair Mxolisi Oliphant has discouraged conference delegates from re-electing Chris Hani regional secretary Lusanda Sizani to the same position in the upcoming conference.

“I want to place it on record that those who will re-elect Sizani as regional secretary, are signing a death warrant to EMLM. It is suicidal for EMLM councillors to vote for someone who is hell-bent on disbanding and dissolving the municipality. It is more shocking for Komani activists to choose Sizani at the expense of mayor Sisisi Tolashe . . .”

He said Sizani was “fighting against anything who is attempting to unite the people and save the municipality. He wants to ensure that no ANC resources are used to mobilise people against the invocation of section 139 (1) (b).”

Oliphant has been vocal in his support of Tolashe, indicating that she had not been given the chance to implement her plans to turn around the embattled municipality.

ANC Komani sub-region chairman Nkululeko Ngcefe said out of 24 ANC branches which had concluded their branch general meetings, only one did not nominate Sizani as secretary.

“The statement sent out by Oliphant is malicious and not in line with the ANC’s code of conduct. Oliphant should be mobilising his branch rather than sending unfounded statements to the media that could bring the party into disrepute. He has struggled to meet the quorum in his branch and yet has the audacity to speak ill of someone who has been nominated by branches.”

Ngcefe said in addition, the ANC had no official position known as a branch “cluster coordinator.”

Sizani said Oliphant’s statement was divisive and a fabrication.

“Oliphant is mischievous and his cluster co-ordinator title is anti-ANC. He should study rule 23.9 of the ANC constitution and stop mobilising communities for the wrong thing. If he continues in this manner we will have to take him to a disciplinary hearing for acting against the party’s constitution.”

Sizani said party members were ready for the regional conference from August 23 to 25.