It was more of a one-horse race at the 8th ANC Chris Hani
elective conference as one slate made a clean sweep over the opposing line up.
The conference was delayed by a day following an appeal to
the party’s national leadership by a group of disgruntled groups of members who
failed to interdict the conference at the Makanda High Court.
There was 96% participation in voting for the top five regional
executive committee (REC) members. This translated to 232 cast votes. However,
the ANC electoral commission faced some challenges.
It was chaired by Human Settlements MEC, Nonceba Kontsiwe.
There were nominated members who did not attend the conference. They had
reportedly sent letters confirming their availability to lead.
“We have looked at these letters. Two of them are written on
the same type of paper with the same writing. There are no particulars of the
people such as their home addresses and cellphone numbers. These letters are
not valid and therefore the positions of regional secretary and treasurer will
not be contested,” Kontsiwe said.
However, she said, a letter from Khaya Bizana who contested
two positions was found to be authentic as it contained all the relevant
information including his signature. Bizana went on to contest two positions
and was annihilated. Those present at the conference, held at Pallotti farm
some 22km outside Komani, included Home Affairs Minister and ANC NEC member
Aaron Motsoaledi.
For the position of chairperson incumbent Wongama Gela was
contested by Mxolisi Toni with an outcome of 189 to 39 respectively. Noloyiso
Ntsaluba received 187 votes against Bizana’s 40 to secure the position of
deputy chairperson. Lusanda Sizani was, due to the invalid letter of Nomayirha
Manqina, not contested to retain his post of secretary.
Madoda Papiyane received 191 votes while Bizana got 36 for
deputy secretary. Papiyane was treasurer in the previous term of office. Andile
Mini, Fort Hare University’s convocation president, became the new treasurer.
He was, by default, not contested. This after a letter reportedly written by
Zithulele Sigonyela confirming his availability was rejected by the electoral
commission.
ANC provincial convener, Oscar Mabuyane, who also attended
the conference, said the new leadership must create greener pastures for
locals. He said it was not ANC behaviour for members to get bribes to disrupt
conferences.
“We witness alien tendencies that are against the values and
principles of the ANC. Violence in meetings is not ANC behaviour. Manipulation
of membership and paying bribes to influence conference outcomes is bad,”
Mabuyane said.
The local ANC, he said, must unite to maximise development
in the Chris Hani region.
“Give the people of Chris Hani a cohesive leadership that
will serve their interests. Only a united leadership will serve the people of
Chris Hani. I choose unity over division. I invite you to do the same,” he said
to applause.
Mabuyane, who had the delegates eat out of the palm of his
hands, said the ANC must be defended against those who try to weaken it.
“There are those who like weakening, dividing and
factionalising the ANC. We must fight factionalism until we can completely
erode it,” he said.