SEDIBENG.- Numerous branches in the Sedibeng area threatening taken the party to court over what they believe are unjust ward candidate lists (names) that were sent to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) for the upcoming Local Government Elections (LGE) in November.

Amongst other things the branches allege that some of the names on the lists do not deserve to be there as they did not attain the ‘necessary numbers’ when the party held public participations to elect candidate councillors in wards where community members were the ones that voted for their ‘favourite’ candidate councillors.

All our clients are members of the African National Congress (in good standing).

Some of the branches that have issued the party with a letter of intent, seen by Sedibeng Ster, to approach the court if the identified internal disputes are not finalised are those from Evaton, Midvaal and Lesedi.

“All our clients are members of the African National Congress (in good standing) in their respective wards in Gauteng Province. The community elected their preferred candidates however their candidates are not part of the final list (of candidates) to be elected as councillors submitted by the ANC to IEC,” the letter of intent states.

The selection process was hijacked.

The letter further states that the process (selection) was hijacked to such an extent that the preferred candidates got ‘kicked out’ contrary to what the internal rules of procedures stands for, most importantly that the community elected candidate should in fact be the candidate who should stand for local government election.

The aggrieved demand an undertaking that the dispute will be finalised by close of business on Monday, September 21.

Speaking to Sedibeng Ster, ANC Sedibeng Secretary, Jason Mkhwane, said that they are aware of correspondence from attorneys representing certain members concerning ward candidate selection disputes.

“However, the RSO (Regional Secretary Office/Officer) cannot confirm at this stage that formal court proceedings have been instituted. The correspondence brought to our attention indicates an intention to approach the court if the identified internal disputes are not finalised.”

For clarity, Mkhwane said, The REC’s role during the branch nomination processes was limited.

The REC did not conduct the voting, select ward candidates, adjudicate disputes, screen candidates.

“In terms of the ANC candidate selection guidelines, the REC deployed observers to BGMs and community meetings to monitor whether the correct procedures were followed and to clarify the guidelines where necessary. The REC did not conduct the voting, select ward candidates, adjudicate disputes, screen candidates, approve the final candidate lists or submit names to the IEC. These responsibilities were allocated to the branch electoral officers, the Provincial Dispute Resolution Committee, the Provincial List Committee, the Electoral Committee and the relevant extended provincial and national structures.”

 Mkhwane added that the Regional Executive Committee (REC), therefore, cannot pronounce on the merits or outcomes of the individual disputes.

“Our responsibility was to ensure that any concerns, records and observer reports brought to our attention were referred to the structures mandated to consider them.”