W Cape ANC call for early conference
NEC to decide if province will elect a new chairperson
EIGHTEEN months since controversial provincial chairperson Marius Fransman was suspended, the Western Cape ANC is nowhere near filling the void Fransman left. Dissent among ANC members is growing as people push for either an early conference or provincial general council (PGC) to be held for the election of a provincial leader.
But provincial secretary Faiez Jacobs said the matter had been deferred to the ANC national executive committee (NEC) who would decide on time frames.
“Many of our branches are also not ready for the regional conferences to take place across the province. We have now decided to leave the process in the hands of the NEC. We also decided that with less than a year to the 2019 general elections, it would be wise to focus all our attention on that.
“When people are heading to elections, they are stronger and much more united.
“When we go to elective conferences and PGCs, there is always the chance of factionalism and other types of contesting,” he said, adding that it was unclear when the PGC would be held.
“Many names have been punted, but the official process has not been opened yet. We are of course aware that there is canvassing going on, but nothing official is happening.”
Although there are no formal slates, names that have been mentioned as possible candidates include some familiar figures such as former Western Cape Premier and SA ambassador to the US Ebrahim Rasool, Rural Development and Land Reform Deputy Minister Mcebisi Skwatsha, Deputy Police Minister Bongani Mkongi and members of the provincial legislature Cameron Dugmore and Richard Dyantyi. Western Cape Justice head advocate Hishaam Mohamed is also in the race for provincial leadership.
Mohamed, one of the longest-serving members of the party’s provincial executive committee (PEC), confirmed earlier this year that he would be availing himself for the position of either leader or provincial secretary of the Western Cape ANC.
He said he had in previous years declined to avail himself for the position, but decided differently this year.
Fransman was axed from the ANC for five years after a sexual harassment complaint by a 21-year-old Stellenbosch woman.
Khaya Magaxa, who is the acting leader, said they requested a PGC or early elective conference for this month.
“The matter is now still with the NEC, but we have made requests in this regard.
“We wanted to solve these issues early, but right around the country there are matters that needs to be dealt with.
“The NEC possibly at its next meeting will sit these matters and decide a way forward. We here however are ready to go for whatever process needs to happen.”