Limpopo branch rejects Motlanthe

(File image) Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe. Photo: Bongiwe Mchunu

(File image) Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe. Photo: Bongiwe Mchunu

Published Nov 27, 2012

Share

Limpopo - The ANC branch of Julius Malema rival Lehlogonolo Masoga has gone against the general trend in the province, excluding Kgalema Motlanthe from all ANC top structures on its Mangaung conference nominations list.

With more than 700 members, the Cuito Cuanavale branch is one of the largest in the province.

The branch nominated President Jacob Zuma on Sunday night to lead the ANC for a second term and businessman Cyril Ramaphosa as his deputy.

But the party’s Peter Mokaba region, which includes Polokwane, maintains that the meeting does not count because the branch was disbanded in January.

The region and the province – chaired by Lawrence Mapoulo and Premier Cassel Mathale – oppose Zuma’s re-election in favour of his deputy, Motlanthe.

The two men are strong Malema allies.

Masoga’s Cuito Cuanavale branch includes Polokwane’s Flora Park suburb.

Masoga, who Malema expelled from the ANC Youth League in 2010, is now ANC deputy chairman of the branch.

Branch chairman Naphtali Molope said it would send three delegates to the national conference.

Branch member Clement Masoga, Lehlogonolo’s brother, said: “We don’t want him [Motlanthe]. We don’t have to give reasons.”

Another branch member, Matlala Maremane, proposed that Mathale’s provincial executive be disbanded after the national conference.

“We want the NEC (the national executive committee) on its first sitting to disband Limpopo,” he said.

Maremane accused the provincial executive of being divisive.

“Five departments have been placed under administration because of a lack of political leadership. The PEC (the provincial executive committee) has actually lost legitimacy,” he said.

The Star has also seen the branch’s audited member’s register.

Mapoulo’s name is not on the register.

[email protected]

The Star

Related Topics: