Ses’Khona vows to leave ANC over list controversy

drawal from the ANC saying that they had been “used by the ANC and would immediately discontinue endorsement of the party”.

This sudden separation is a result of the dissatisfaction with the ANC ward councillor candidate lists for the August 3 local government elections.

On Wednesday, over 500 residents of Kuyasa sang and burnt ANC T- shirts, cut up their membership cards and joined the DA.

They said this was due to the fact that they had been “snubbed by the (ANC) and have been taken for a ride for long enough”.

Noxolo Zwakala said; “The ANC thinks we are stupid. Ward councillors are voted for by the communities, we voted for our preferred candidate and at the last minute they want to come and give us someone who they can use as a puppet. Someone who will be their ‘ yes boss’ man.

“Well they can have that one man but they are surely losing us.

“Sometimes you have to give people a second chance and maybe this is the chance Zille deserves.”

President of the movement Loyiso Nkohla neither confirmed nor denied this, but said members were free to join whatever political party they wished.

He also said they would be giving the ruling party until Monday to address their issues, failing which they would report back to their members to officially “release them to join and endorse other parties” putting particular emphasis on the EFF and DA.

DA Western Cape Media Manager Anneke Scheepers told Weekend Argus she was “not aware of any talks with Ses’Khona but am not surprised that they are looking to leave the ANC and move to other parties”.

ANC provincial spokesman Jabu Mfusi said the ANC would not be held to ransom.

Mfusi said: “It would be incorrect for any partner of the ANC to throw their toys on the floor whenever they don’t get their way.”

On Thursday, list protesters burnt ANC T- shirts outside the ANC headquarters in the city centre.

A week before that, protesters were forcefully removed from the ANC provin- cial offices in Salt River during a similar protest over the list .

Protest actions were reported in other provinces in recent weeks.

ANC members in Gauteng, the Eastern Cape, KwaZuluNatal and the North West were reported to have registered as independents.

ANC Western Cape provincial secretary Faiez Jacobs has promised leadership would “go out into all our branches in order to further engage our members on the outcomes of the list process.”

asanda.sokanyile@inl.co.za