Disputes derail EC ANC elective conference
THE postponement of yet another elective conference of the ANC in the Eastern Cape was something normal within the governing party given the legal challenges that could ensue if it went ahead.
This was the view of political analyst Ongama Mtimka, who said yesterday it was a good thing that the ANC had enough patience not to push ahead with the conference.
Mtimka said the postponement should be viewed within broader procedural and legal matters in the ANC.
“There is also the issue of being patient enough with legal challenges and not forcing matters. This has to be applauded,” he said in an interview with the Cape Times.
However, Mtimka noted that the postponement could be part of dealing with claims of rigged membership to balance forces and also part of administrative manoeuvres to influence particular outcomes.
The Eastern Cape branch of the ANC announced the indefinite postponement on Tuesday night, citing disputes by some branches and an outstanding report on the verified membership.
Task team co-ordinator Lulamile
Ngcukaitobi said the decision was taken by the provincial working task team when it assessed the work in preparation of the ninth provincial conference.
“It became apparent that some of the disputes are still being attended to by the National Dispute Resolution Committee and the verification report has not yet been signed by the acting secretary general,” Ngcukaitobi said.
The coming conference is likely to see a two-horse race between Premier Oscar Mabuyane and Public Works MEC Babalo Madikizela. The pair, who interdicted the implementation of Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane’s report regarding remedial action around the funeral of Struggle stalwart Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, are on separate slates, with neither backing down.
Party insiders aligned to President Cyril Ramaphosa claim that their candidates are well on track to lead the province after the pending conference.
This as a campaign for the thirdway candidate, which pushes Legislature Deputy Speaker Mlibo Qoboshiyana, appears not to be gaining momentum.
The postponement comes amid reports of rigging of branch general meetings and selection of delegations, particularly in Chris Hani and Dr WB Rubusana regions.
It also takes place against the backdrop of reported legal threats to the ruling party this week, demanding it first resolves the disputes from aggrieved members as well as a court case interdicting a regional conference in Dr WB Rubisana Region, where theft by branches was alleged.
Lobbyists and regions aligned to Mabuyane and Madikizela have welcomed the postponement.
Onke Diko, spokesperson for the Alfred Nzo Region, which is aligned to Madikizela, said they welcomed the decision but questioned why the provincial leadership had delayed in making the announcement.
“We agreed to support the postponement of the conference because we want a credible conference,” he said.
Antonio Carels, Dr WB Rubusana Regional secretary aligned to Mabuyane, said they accepted the decision in light of all the issues the ANC was confronted with in preparation for the conference.
Meanwhile, the Mthatha High Court is expected to deliver a judgment in a legal challenge by Amathole regional secretary Thembelani “Teris” Ntuthu in his reinstated fraud and corruption case.
The court heard arguments this week over the National Prosecuting Authority’s decision to re-charge Ntuthu five days after the case was struck off the roll last August.