Shayi set to challenge Mathabatha
At stake is the Limpopo leadership
The biggest ANC region, Norman Mashabane, is gunning for Limpopo premier Stan Mathabatha and his allies ahead of the much-anticipated ANC elective provincial conference to be held in June.
Its regional chairperson, Pule Shayi, who is also the executive mayor of Mopani district municipality, has been touted to challenge Mathabatha, who is contesting for the third term as ANC provincial chairperson.
Peter Ngobeni, the spokesperson for ANC Norman Mashabane region, said: “We want nothing less but the provincial chairperson position. We are the biggest branch in the province and therefore we deserve better. We are not scared of anybody because we are confident that our leadership in the branch, led by our chairperson comrade Shayi, and our regional secretary, Goodman Miteleni, is equal to the task.”
Members of ANC Norman Mashabane region recently held their regional executive committee (REC) meeting and resolved that Shayi must be included as the member of the ANC provincial executive committee (PEC).
“Shayi is an outstanding leader with good credentials, therefore he qualifies to be part of the ANC PEC. We resolved this during our REC meeting. He has done a sterling job as ANC leader, mayor and administrator. His track record speaks volumes that he practises what he sermonises.”
ANC Norman Mashabane region met with other regions yesterday during the regional general council (RGC) to deliberate on issues affecting the political landscape across the province, including its decision to endorse Shayi to form part of the governing party’s PEC.
The RGC was held at Karibu Leisure Resort.
“Branches have a right to nominate anybody for any position. The ANC constitution, which is binding on all of us, is clear about that, therefore we’re not scared of anybody. The RGC will also be seized with the very important task of thrashing out a clear roadmap, guidelines and any other business that relates to the provincial conference.
“If branches nominate comrade Shayi for the provincial chairperson, then so be it. Branches have confidence in
Branches have confidence in comrade Shayi to be the next chairperson
comrade Shayi to be the next provincial chairperson,” Ngobeni said.
At the time of going to print, the RGC was still proceeding, and Shayi was envisaged to emerge victorious with a bacup of over 120 branches.
According to some ANC leaders who opted to remain anonymous, “Shayi is grabbing the bull by the horns” because most ANC comrades in Limpopo fear Danny Msiza’s association with Mathabatha. They also said that ANC Norman Mashabane region has the potential of being a game-changer to oust Msiza’s allies as they have been in power for two terms.
They further said Mathabatha’s slate has no representation from Waterberg region, which could be an advantage for Shayi’s followers.
“Tolly Mashamaite, the former regional secretary of Waterberg, was going to be a strong contender. However, he is facing corruption charges and legal battles following a R15-million tender fraud of Mogalakwena local municipality,” said an ANC leader, who advised Shayi to include Jack Mayeko, former mayor of Lephalale local municipality in his slate to get support from Waterberg.
“Shayi might be the game-changer to strengthen President Cyril Ramaphosa’s supporters to topple Mathabatha and Msiza’s cronies if he plays the political chess game wisely,” said another ANC leader. Mathabatha’s slate includes controversial VBS Mutual Bank suspected looter and suspended ANC provincial treasury Danny Msiza, who is facing charges of theft, fraud and money-laundering.