Pretoria - The Mpumalanga ANC conference got off to a bad start on Friday, with some disgruntled former provincial executive committee (PEC) members filing a last minute application to interdict the gathering, while logistical challenges threatened to derail it.
Amid glaring tensions between rival factions at the Emalahleni Civic Centre, delegates had to wait in long queues for accreditation to gain access to the Witbank Dam, the venue of the 13th elective provincial conference.
The interim PEC, led by Mandla Ndlovu, was disbanded in February after its term of office ended. Mpumalanga has not had an elected ANC leadership since its former leader, David “DD” Mabuza, was elected Deputy ANC President at the Nasrec conference in 2017. Ndlovu is Mabuza’s former protege.
Pretoria News understands that the squabble over accreditation was caused by allegations that some party members from the Ehlanzeni region sought to replace some delegates ostensibly because they were sick.
Members of the ANC chanting at Emalahleni Civic Centre ahead of the party's 13th Mpumalanga provincial conference. @MYANC #ANC #MpumalangaConference @IOL #Elections #Mpumalanga pic.twitter.com/9KPWU71aij
Tensions were defused when provincial ANC co-ordinator, Lindiwe Ntshalintshali, intervened and told the crowd that sick delegates could only be replaced if there were medical certificates to confirm their health status. Ntshalintshali was the provincial secretary before the PEC was dissolved,
“Those who want to replace delegates must produce medical certificates to prove that others are sick,” said Ntshalintshali.
Her statement appeared to have restored order as delegates listened attentively before proceeding to the Civic Centre. Outside the Civic Centre, ANC regalia was on sale in various marquees, as has been the tradition at ANC conferences.
Some of the most popular regalia included those of ANC stalwart Charlotte Maxeke, former ANC president Oliver Tambo and slain former ANC Youth league secretary general Sindiso Magaxa.
As has been the norm at such party meetings, some delegates rocked up in fast German cars worth more than R1 million, seemingly to display their luxury.
Members of the ANC chanting at Emalahleni Civic Centre ahead of the party's 13th Mpumalanga provincial conference. @MYANC #ANC #MpumalangaConference @IOL #Elections #Mpumalanga pic.twitter.com/jD2rpagCFF
The future of the conference was thrown into doubt when former PEC members filed an urgent application to interdict the proceedings. Fakazi Shongwe, Francisco Vilankulo, Vusi Mabena and Edward Mahlangu claimed in their court papers that the ANC national working committee (NWC) had no powers to disband the PEC.
In a letter, their legal representatives wrote: "We are instructed that the NWC had no prior express delegation of authority to disband the defunct Mpumalanga PEC. The PWC did not have the right to dissolve the PEC with certain identified individuals in the form of a provincial task team.”
The case was expected to be heard today.
It is understood that Ndlovu, who is the provincial convenor, provincial task team member Lucky Ndinisa, Mpumalanga Premier Refilwe Mtsweni-Tsipane and former provincial deputy chairperson David Dube are the contestants for the powerful position of provincial chairperson. Sources said Ntshalintshali is seeking re-election as provincial secretary. President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to close the conference on Sunday.
Pretoria News