Johannesburg - Gauteng African National Congress (ANC) chairman Paul Mashatile on Monday called on branches in Tshwane to support mayoral candidate Thoko Didiza and ensure victory at the August 3 local government polls.
“We call upon all our members to accept the decision and support comrade Thoko Didiza as the mayoral candidate. Comrade Kgosientso Ramokgopa will continue until end of term, he is also regional chairperson in Tshwane. He will be working together with comrade Didiza,” Mashatile said after the confirmation of Didiza’s candidacy at a press conference which was also attended by outgoing mayor Ramokgopa.
He said the naming of Didiza signified the closing of nominations of mayors in the province.
“We have closed nominations and call on our members to focus on winning Tshwane. We send condolences to the family of the member who was shot and killed yesterday (on Sunday). The ANC condemns any form of violence, we call for calm…we campaign in that area all the time without resorting to violence.”
Clashes between ANC factions claimed the life of a party member outside the Tshwane events centre on Sunday, with ANC deputy secretary general Jessie Duarte confirming that several other ANC members had been injured in the violence.
Ramokgopa said members were “unanimously enthusiastic” about the Didiza candidacy.
“We are confident about comrade Thoko Didiza. Ultimately, we want to serve the interests of Tshwane, it’s all hands on deck, we are focused on the campaign to ensure winning the capital city,” he said.
Ramokgopa said he would continue to serve the ANC in the region.
The ANC in Tshwane is reportedly divided between Ramokgopa and his regional deputy chairperson Mapiti Matsena.
Matsena, who was also at the briefing on Monday, sat quietly and listened as Duarte addressed the media. He was earlier seen smiling and chatting to Ramokgopa as they waited for the briefing to get underway. Matsena reportedly topped the list for the mayoral candidacy.
Ramokgopa was elected mayor by the provincial executive committee in 2011 to replace his aunt Gwen Ramokgopa, who was appointed deputy minister of health.
African News Agency