CAPE TOWN - The ANC’s unity and renewal project appeared to be once again on shaky ground when drama marred the highly-contested Eastern Cape elective conference on Sunday, forcing it to be extended to a fourth day after a number of delays.
The conference began on Friday amid allegations of bribery of delegates by those in support of premier Oscar Mabuyane, followed by a failed court application to interdict the gathering on Saturday, then a stalemate on the adoption of credentials on Sunday – the day it was supposed to elect new leaders.
Mabuyane is seeking a second term but in his way is former provincial treasurer Babalo Madikizela.
Several members disrupted the process on Sunday, charging that there were “ghost delegates” in the plenary.
ANC Provincial Task Team member Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams said some members were being disruptive, singing while the conference was in progress.
“It is very important that we leave no stone unturned. This is meant to ensure that no member says I was not listened to. This is not the time for disputes because the National Dispute Resolution Committee (NDRC) dealt with those matters.
“But we ought to listen to whatever new grievances that they are raising without getting into the disputes. That’s why the steering committee will then decide after meeting with those affected members.”
“We’ve been to these conferences and we don’t see what is happening as chaos. This is one thing about the ANC, especially in the EC where democracy is exercised. At times there will be those that would want to take matters into their own hands by undermining the rules of the constitution of ANC,” she said.
“It is not everyone that is up in arms, it is one group that is singing while the conference is in progress,” she said.
Dr WB Rubusana ANCYL regional chairperson, Ondela Sokomani was among the members that launched the failed court interdict on Saturday, citing that the participation of the branches was “manipulated”.
He said there were “ghost delegates” who have been accredited to attend the conference.
“These bogus delegates from branches which ever sat their branch general meetings (BGM) failed the verification. These duplicate delegates from branches that never sat in their branch meetings ought to be removed from conference. That is what we are saying.”
He said they would not adopt credentials if those delegates were not removed.
Political analyst Professor Sipho Seepe said “ghost delegates” are referred to individuals who are not properly accredited or whose credentials can be considered fraudulent.
“This is not unusual where voting is rigged. The worst kind is when people use the identity of people that have long passed. These developments are not surprising. The stakes are high. The contest for positions has more to do with earning an income and less about service,” he said.
Independent socio-economic commentator, Dr Bhasela Yalezo said the “delays and glitches” were expected and are rather a norm for the ANC national, provincial and regional branches.
“It also remains to be seen if there won’t be any litigation by disgruntled groups after the conference. So far there is tangible discussion or resolution brought forward by the conference that talks about improving the lives of EC citizens,” Yalezo said.
President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to close the conference which the party says they are confident will conclude on Monday.
Cape Times