Province’s ANC ‘rebels’ hail court ruling
SOON after Judge Jerome Mnguni read out the judgment in the Pietermaritzburg High Court, four lesser known ANC members celebrated the victory by exchanging hugs inside courtroom H.
Although little is known about them, the four quickly gained cult status as they were at the forefront of the court bid that effectively brought down the powerful provincial executive committee of the ANC in KwaZulu-Natal.
As they walked out of court, the four applicants – Sibahle Zikalala, Lawrence Dube, Mzweni Ngcobo and Lindiwe Buthelezi – were hailed as heroes by a group of vocal supporters who had gathered outside court.
While they agreed to pose for a picture, three of them refused interviews, saying they had delegated Dube to speak on their behalf.
Reflecting on the court outcome, Dube said he was relieved because the whole process had been exhausting.
“I am content with what happened. I cannot complain except to say I am happy at least the court agrees with us,” Dube told The Mercury outside court.
An optometrist by profession, Dube said he and the other applicants had been subjected to insults and threats since taking on the ANC leadership, and this had even affected their careers.
“It is difficult to even practise now, because of the fear we have. That has affected my (optometry) practice.”
Shortlisted
He claims to have been overlooked for the position of mayor of Abaqulusi (Vryheid) municipality after last year’s local government elections.
His name was among the three shortlisted by the regional executive and submitted to the provincial executive committee for consideration, he said.
“We were not accepted but, instead other comrades were preferred”.
Now a ward councillor in Vryheid, Dube said he is still being hounded, adding that there were attempts to have him removed as a councillor.
“They have been canvassing people in the ward to have me removed.”
Zikalala was also overlooked for a position as ward councillor.
However, the four applicants maintained that they were not seeking positions by taking the ANC to court.
In fact, added Dube, they do not like being labelled “rebels, the disgruntled members and counter-revolutionaries”.
The four rejected claims that they were acting as fronts for Senzo Mchunu and other disgruntled ANC leaders who lost positions after the disputed 2015 conference.
“In our affidavit we do not put Senzo as the centre. He was booted (from his position as premier) around March 2016, we had complained before (the conference was held in) November, we complained during and after the conference. Those who think we brought the application because of Senzo are wrong.”
However, he did not deny their support for the former KZN premier and for Cyril Ramaphosa, who has emerged as one of the frontrunners in the ANC presidential race.