Local ANC members turned away from conference
The group claimed that more than 100 branches in their regions had deliberately been denied permission to take part in the conference.
Local ANC region branch members were left disappointed after the much-anticipated KwaZulu-Natal ANC provincial conference was called off at the 11th hour.
The cancellation following a court interdict obtained by six ANC regions, including the Lower South Coast, Harry Gwala and Moses Mabhida regions.
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ANC regional secretary Mzwandile Mkhwanazi confirmed that some members of the region were part of the group which filed an urgent court interdict to prevent the planned conference from taking place.
The group claimed that more than 100 branches in their regions had deliberately been denied permission to take part in the conference.
“Our leaders have ignored our concerns and the issues we raised. Processes leading up to the provincial conference had too many irregularities,” said one LSC branch member.
Gate-keeping, vote rigging, unfair processes and bogus membership are said to be the reasons behind the application for the court interdict.
Last Friday, about 60 branches believed to be from the Lower South Coast Region descended on the University of Zululand where the conference was scheduled to take place.
The members – who had barely unpacked their bags – had to return home after they were told the party’s provincial leaders had attempted to turn the conference into a consultative one, but had not been able to do so.
“I’m angry because I have wasted my money on transport, meals and accommodation.All that has gone down the drain because of people who don’t want to accept defeat,” said a staunch Zuma supporter.
During the gathering, tensions rose as delegates booed members who were seen as Cyril Ramaphosa supporters.
ANC National Executive Council members, Jackson Mthembu and Bheki Cele were the first to be booed when introduced by Sihle Zikalala.
ANC chairman Gwede Mantashe had a tough time trying to address the gathering above the strident singing of “Wenzeni Uzuma” (What has Zuma done wrong?).
The chairman said the disruptions were deliberate, and that such behavior needed to be corrected.
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“The fact that they stopped other members from speaking but allowed Sihle Zikalala to speak means that if the conference had gone ahead it would have been a factional conference.”
However, delegates called on province to discipline those who went to court.
ANC provincial leaders are also expected to head to court in a bid to get the interdict lifted.
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