The provincial leaders of the United Democratic Movement (UDM) in the Eastern Cape defected to the ANC on Tuesday, the ruling party said.
“These are comrades with wealth of experience. Some of them are leaders from high structures of the UDM led by provincial leader, Mr Mlamli Sangqu and other regional leaders. They are not coming with their jackets, they are bringing scores of members from all over the Eastern Cape,” said provincial secretary Lubabalo Mabuyana in a statement.
“We are welcoming all of them to the ANC. This is part of our centenary programme to increase our membership.”
Those who defected to the ANC include provincial chairman Sangqu, and the UDM's provincial deputy chairman, George Madikiza.
The UDM was formed by Bantu Holomisa and Roelf Meyer in 1997 - breaking away respectively from the ANC and the National Party.
The UDM was not immediately available for comment. – Sapa