Violent vote of confidence for Cyril as his man wins in EC
Ramaphosa calls for unity as court rules on interdict
and The election of Oscar Mabuyane as the new ANC Eastern Cape chairman has boosted the chances of presidential hopeful Cyril Ramaphosa.
Mabuyane, a known Ramaphosa supporter, replaced his former ally Phumulo Masualle yesterday in a highly contested conference characterised by chaos and violence.
Several delegates were injured when a fight broke out between supporters of the two.
Masualle and his supporters walked out of the conference after violence erupted over credentials.
Police are investigating a case of public violence after safety and liaison MEC Weziwe Tikana opened a case at the Fleet Street police station in East London. At least eight delegates were hospitalised.
A decision was taken by the conference’s steering committee and national executive committee (NEC) members to go ahead with the conference.
With over 950 of the 1 700 delegates remaining, the conference met the 50% plus one threshold required to proceed.
Mabuyane received 935 votes against Masualle’s seven.
Ramaphosa arrived at the conference to rapturous applause, as the delegates exalted his name and called on him to take over from President Jacob Zuma at the ANC’s national conference in December.
In a conciliatory tone, Ramaphosa pleaded with ANC members in the province to extend an olive branch to former chairman Masualle.
Ramaphosa said: “I am also making a call to those comrades who are not here. Comrade Phumulo and others who are not here. I’m saying remember one thing, we are all members of the same family of the ANC. We must come back and work together. If we can help it, let us resolve all our problems together rather than marching all over.”
He called for unity in the ANC, saying “that is one thing we must never turn away from”.
The ANC leadership, said Ramaphosa, will be on hand to address the “problems and the challenges” in the Eastern Cape.
Mabuyane’s election is viewed as a shot in the arm to Ramaphosa’s campaign, as the former has openly declared his support for the deputy president.
Support for Ramaphosa was also evident as delegates broke out in song: “We are ready for Ramaphosa.” However, Ramaphosa warned delegates against singing divisive songs.
Outgoing ANC provincial spokesman Mlibo Qoboshiyane, who also walked out of the conference, was adamant that Masualle remained the provincial chairman. This was despite ANC NEC deployee to the province, Lindiwe Zulu, declaring Mabuyane’s election legitimate, “as the party’s constitution had been abided with throughout”.
Meanwhile, a high court application to interdict the conference was brought by Mthatha lawyer Mvusi Notyesi. Judgment has been reserved until 9am today. Mabuyane said they will challenge the application.