The high court in Polokwane has dismissed an application to nullify the outcomes of the Limpopo ANC Veterans League (ANCVL) provincial conference with costs.
The case was brought by Jacob Marule, a disgruntled ANCVL member who sought to challenge the conference results and the provincial executive committee elections.
In a statement on Wednesday, ANC Limpopo secretary Reuben Madadzhe highlighted that the delay in Marule’s application was a significant factor leading to the dismissal of his application.
The high court found that he failed to substantiate his case or demonstrate efforts to exhaust internal remedies before resorting to court.
The ANCVL in the province welcomed the ruling, affirming that the conference adhered to the rule book.
Using court to address political issues
Madadzhe stressed the inappropriateness of using courts to address political issues and urged party members to resolve grievances internally.
“The ANC welcomes the decision of the high court that has clearly confirmed that the road leading up to the ANCVL Limpopo provincial conference was above board and all was done in accordance with the rule book, that aggrieved members should first exhaust the internal remedial measures before approaching the courts for any recourse, and further that courts are not appropriate platforms to resolve political issues,” said Madadzhe.
He further expressed contentment with the court’s decision and called on party members to support the elected leaders.
“The ANC in Limpopo calls upon all members of the ANCVL in Limpopo to rally behind the elected leaders of the provincial executive committee as led by Cde [comrade] Nkoana Sechaba and Cde Phiroane Phala as chairperson and secretary, respectively.”
Phala said at the time that the conference discussed how the league can work with the ANC on its annual priorities and how to ensure that the league participates fully in implementing those priorities.
He said central to their discussions were issues around energy, the renewal of the organisation and mobilisation of social partners for economic reconstruction and recovery to improve service delivery.
