ANC takes stock of party’s progress

ANC provincial chairman Phumulo Masualle scored the party a six out of 10 for progress made since 1994, while Local Government MEC Mlibo Qoboshiyane gave it a seven.

They were speaking at Mpekweni Beach Resort near Port Alfred yesterday, where the party’s provincial lekgotla was held ahead of the 2014 general elections.

Masualle said the purpose of the meeting was to take stock of the party’s progress. He said they had looked at critical issues facing the province and what needed to be done to address those issues.

“We are of the view that while progress has been made, a lot can still be done,” Masualle said.

Qoboshiyane, however, said he would give the party seven out of 10 for progress made since the advent of democracy.

He said the party would hold a media conference tomorrow, where it would reveal details of the lekgotla.

Meanwhile, Masualle said they were “taken aback” by reports alleging the misuse of funds for memorial services held around Buffalo City Metro for late former president Nelson Mandela.

“We take exception if there was anyone who used that opportunity for any other purpose than originally intended, no matter who is involved

‘ Even in instances of dispute we do not condone violence

with that. We need concrete information on who did what,” Masualle said.

He said if there was any wrong doing the party would take action against those involved “because it means they are besmirching the integrity of the organisation and we will act”.

Masualle also condemned the actions of South African Municipal Workers’ Union members who vandalised the East London City Hall on Friday during a protest demanding a 14th cheque.

“We have asked to speak to Salga [South African Local Government Association] regarding the issue of the 14th cheque because we believe it’s an issue that affects all municipalities and should be uniform,” Masualle said.

“Even in instances of dispute we do not condone violence. “In such cases the legitimacy of their concerns is rubbed off by the way they are articulated.”

On the significant drop of support shown for the ANC in a recent by-election held in East London, Qoboshiyane said the decline had been noted and was of concern to the party.

“We won 11 out of 14 by-elections, but naturally we wanted all 14,” he said.

“This is an indication we still need to do more. It is a national trend that people don’t take local government elections that seriously and we need to change that.”