EC ANC points finger at NEC’s Mokonyane

THE ANC in the Eastern Cape wants national party bosses to take action against national executive committee member Nomvula Mokonyane, who at the weekend addressed the Amathole regional general council without provincial leaders’ knowledge.

In a statement last night provincial secretary Lulama Ngcukayitobi said Monkonyane’s action had proved their suspicions that the Eastern Cape was being divided on purpose.

Ngcukayitobi said the provincial working committee, which met for the first time on Monday, resolved to formally write to the NEC to express “our displeasure and request urgent measures be taken to rein in this conduct displayed by comrade Nomvula Mokonyane, a senior member of the organisation.”

Ngcukayitobi said ANC protocol dictated that when a national leader visited a province, the provincial leadership was made aware of such a visit – something that was not done on Mokonyane’s visit.

“We have always taken a view that some of the divisions within the ANC in the Eastern Cape are sponsored from outside the province and this in-andout of national executive committee members is part of a coordinated campaign to divide the province,” Ngcukayitobi said. “The PEC has … committed itself to the unity of the organisation at all levels and we refuse to be dragged into any form of divisive conduct.”

Amathole was one of the regions that wanted former provincial chairman Phumulo Masualle to retain the position for a third term. He was defeated by incumbent Oscar Mabuyane during a violent conference at the East London ICC. Amathole regional secretary Teris Ntutu is on record saying they did not recognise Mabuyane’s PEC, as the meeting collapsed.

Luthuli House is yet to rule on the legitimacy of the conference, but secretary-general Gwede Mantashe says until it does Mabuyane remains in charge.

Mokonyane said: “An invitation came from a constitutional structure of the ANC, Amathole ANC region. It would be advisable that they refer their concerns to that REC. I share the need for unity including cooperation across all structures.”

Ntutu said they were within their rights to invite any leader of the governing party to come to their area.

“In fact we have invited Mama Nkosazana DlaminiZuma to come towards the end of the month.” —