Internal strife at Sanco ahead of conference
According to Mr Mngoma, the new structure had been set up because the previous leaders had been occupied with power struggles in the ANC.
The ANC’s civic sector alliance partner‚ the South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco) in the Lower South Coast region is at war with itself.
Factions and power mongering have reportedly forced the party to have two structures, causing confusion among members ahead of its regional conference expected to take place at the Ugu Sports and Leisure Centre this Saturday, February 16.
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On Tuesday, a group who claimed to be ‘the legitimate’ structure, told reporters at a press briefing that the other group was interfering with Sanco’s work by refusing to step down when its term of office had lapsed.
The group’s regional convenor, Sphelele Mngoma said they wanted to warn Sanco members against the ‘other’ faction because it continued to hold illegitimate meetings in Sanco’s name.
“We are the legitimate structure, we even have a letter from the provincial secretary endorsing us to lead,” he said.
According to Mr Mngoma, the new structure had been set up because the previous leaders had been occupied with power struggles in the ANC, thus neglecting their Sanco duties and because there were no activities taking place at Sanco.
“We want to make it clear that we are the leaders of the organisation, not the other group,” he said. Mr Mngoma was referring to himself and Duduzile Msomi who was appointed as coordinator together with five other members.
Mr Mngoma said ‘petty’ politics within the organisation confused Sanco members and interfered with the organisation’s mission to put the needs of people first.
However, Lwazi Zindela who had been secretary when the breakaway faction took the reins, said this faction was spreading misinformation to innocent people.
According to Mr Zindela, the group is illegitimate because in December last year, a decision had been made by the National Sanco to disband then Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) and replace it with an Interim Provincial Coordinating Committee (IPCC).
The Herald has in its possession three letters:
* One from Sanco national office, dated August 11, 2018 ordering the provincial secretary to vacate office as he was suspended;
* One from Sanco national office, dated December 10, 2018 disbanding the provincial leadership;
* One from suspended provincial Sanco secretary, dated January 6, 2019 electing new LSC regional leadership.
“How can a suspended provincial leader make decisions to form new structures? The group would only be valid if it had been appointed by the IPCC,” Mr Zindela said.
Mr Zindela said this weekend’s conference would also be invalid.
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