Expelled ANC councillors slam leaders
THE 15 councillors expelled by the ANC structure in Nkangala Municipality in Mpumalanga have accused the party’s leaders of abusing their power to boost the political ambitions of the ANC’S acting provincial chairperson, Mandla Ndlovu, ahead of the party’s conference.
Earlier this week, the regional structure announced it had resolved to slap all the councillors with expulsions following their disciplinary hearings for colluding with the EFF and other opposition parties in ousting JS Moroka municipality mayor Thulare Madileng in October last year.
This comes as Ndlovu is going up against Premier Refilwe Mtshweni-tsipane for the post of ANC provincial chairperson left vacant by Deputy President David Mabuza.
Although there are divisions within Nkangala, the regional leadership is behind Ndlovu’s slate, while the expelled councillors are backers of Mtshweni-tsipane, also known to have the support of factions aligned to Mabuza.
The councillors have been found guilty of breach of membership of oath, and of prejudicing the integrity and reputation of the ANC through their defiance.
The move to expel the 15 councillors was set to increase instability within the embattled local municipality as 14 were ward councillors.
One of the councillors, Thabo Lekalala, said their expulsion had nothing to do with voting with their conscience, but with tilting the balance of forces ahead of the conference.
“They just want to destabilise our force (behind Mtsheni-tsipane); we are going to the conference,” Lekalala said.
Another councillor, Thabo Nyatlo, said they had all resolved to challenge the decision to expel them. “Since it is a collective charge, we are going to launch the appeal to the provincial structure together,” he said.
Nkangala regional spokesperson Sello Matshoga said the councillors were banned from attending ANC activities. “They will not be allowed at any gathering of the ANC.”
But the councillors would be allowed to continue their duties until next week, to allow them time to appeal. “As per our constitution we have given them 14 days, and after that they will have to vacate their seats and we will contact the IEC (Electoral Commission of SA) to facilitate the process of replacing them.”
Matshoga added: “We have (undertaken) our own research in their wards. They are no longer popular because they are fighting with the branches of the ANC.”