Government tenders split ANC structures
Mabuyane hits out at squabbles and factions
THE past term was characterised by divisions, ill-discipline and factionalism and government tenders were used to sow divisions amongst party members, newly elected ANC provincial secretary Oscar Mabuyane told more than 1 500 delegates gathered in Port Elizabeth.
Delivering his organisational report on Thursday night, Mabuyane said a total disregard for democracy was common in some ANC branches across the Eastern Cape, with members more interested in positions than committing to organisational processes.
“The organisation was used as a vehicle for accessing provincial and local government tenders and favours.
Access to state resources aimed at improving the quality of life were used to further the division in the organisation,” Mabuyane said.
“As organisational discipline dwindled, differences of opinion became points of permanent conflict. Despite the outcomes of democratic processes, ill-disciplined elements consolidated themselves into permanent cliques, united in their defeated views.
“They pursued an agenda to weaken the collective will of the organisation, thus sowing and sustaining divisions,” Mabuyane said.
The report painted a picture of ANC branches – regarded as the heartbeat of the party – that are demobilised and characterised by tendencies that undermine the strategic thrust of the organisation.
“This state of affairs also contributed to the diminishing stature of the province in national politics as it became common cause that even though we still had high numbers, our voice was divided into many factional groupings.
“We became a shadow of our former self.
As a result we were reduced to voting fodder who could easily be divided into further interests by unscrupulous individuals from outside the province,” Mabuyane said.
“The incident when the provincial offices were stormed shows quite clearly the extreme levels of degeneration of organisational discipline.”
In the incident Mabuyane was dragged from his office by disgruntled ANC members and assaulted. He landed up in hospital. Deputy secretary and safety and liaison MEC Helen Sauls-August and provincial executive member Nonceba Kontsiwe were also assaulted.
In his report, Mabuyane highlighted the poor performance of municipalities, which he attributed to lack of monitoring.
Mabuyane noted the acts of illdiscipline in King Sabatha Dalindyebo municipality, where he said councillors threatened to bring about political instability.
“ANC councillors in KSD voted with the opposition during the election of the mayor against the mandate they had been given by the organisation,” Mabuyane said.