VANDERBIJLPARK. – There are two opposed factions in the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania, PAC.
This was clear after one of them marched to the Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) in Vanderbijpark recently, protesting outside the building, baying for the heads of their councillors, Abel Radebe and Appa Pooe. The protesters demanded that the two councillors be sacked in the first council sitting to be held.
Ndade Mxunya, regional chairperson of the PAC, said they have appealed for Radebe and Pooe to step down as councillors since 2012.
Radebe is serving in Emfuleni while Pooe serves in the Sedibeng District Municipality. Both are proportional representatives (PR) councillors. Mxunya said the party has spent some R1,8 million in court to fight the case of their former president Letlapa Mphahlele.
He said the current president is Luthando Mbinda: “The PAC deals with people like Pooe and Radebe. No-one is above the law. Once you fail the organisation, such persons have to be recalled,” he said. “The sacking of Pooe and Radebe has more to do with their general attitude. “The rights of the PAC have been sabotaged by the ANC and IEC, protecting the two. We are not fighting amongst ourselves.
“We sent the candidate list in 2012, but were side-lined by both the then speaker, Msebenzi Gqoloshe and Sam Tshabalala, municipal manager together with IEC.”
With their placards aloft during the protests on January 5 they stood firm, blocking the entrance, preventing members of the public from entering via the main door.
Mxunya said the self-appointed councillors are drastically affecting the growth and votes of the party.
During the protests, Themba Ndaba, political adviser of Executive Emfuleni Local Municipality Mayor, Simon Mofokeng invited three delegates into his office where they held discussions on the matter.
Mxunya said they requested that the municipality stop the salaries of the two councillors until further notice. The two should also account for what happened to the party’s Lekgotla funds since 2013. “The masses have spoken so you must vacate your positions ahead of the local election,” he said.
For the past years the PAC has failed to make an impact in both local and national elections. Most of its members have gone forth seeking greener pastures.
In his comment, Pooe said, “Only corrupt members with no political ability and a love of the PAC are baying for our blood. We have been going through difficulties recently. Ndade is the one spearheading trouble. He is the one trying to intimidate and cause friction.
“It is not true that the I.E.C and ANC are behind us. How can an opposition party protect its counterpart?” he asked.
