Factional battles are at the centre of delays plaguing the ANC conference for Limpopo’s Peter Mokaba region, according to the spokesperson for the regional task (RTT) team, Adolf Rapetswa.
Without mentioning names, Rapetswa claims that there are members of the RTT who are “unruly” and fear that the outcomes of the branch general meetings (BGMs) might not favour them.
He believes that branch members intentionally want to delay the conference by “harvesting” the disputes. He then went on to lambast ANC branch members who embarked on a march last week to raise awareness about the conduct of some members during BGMs.
“We wrote to the provincial secretary about the roadmap, which gave enough time for the disputes to be solved, and it was approved. We are shocked and amazed by the snail’s pace at which the process is moving,” Rapetswa said.
The Peter Mokaba regional conference could not be held last weekend due to pending disputes emanating from the branches. The region has five complaints to resolve before the conference can go ahead.
The ANC Peter Mokaba RTT wrote to party secretary-general Fikile Mbalula to remedy the discord after the first attempt to hold the conference. Mbalula then instructed the region to proceed with the conference this week, according to the regional spokesperson.
“We could have the conference this weekend if the disputes are solved,” he said.
Sunday World understands that branch members supporting Capricorn District Municipality mayor Mamedupi Teffo in the Peter Mokaba race and Limpopo Premier Phophi Ramathuba to lead the province claim there was manipulation in the branch nomination processes.
Teffo is facing incumbent John Mpe, who is the frontrunner in the leadership race. Mpe is seen as a threat to Ramathuba’s campaign at the provincial level, as he also intends on vying for the position.
“It is a battle for the provincial Chairperson’s position; that’s why it’s a very messy regional conference, but John Mpe will win, which will mean trouble for Phophi. John is already winning by more than 50 delegates. So, they are busy trying to rob him, but that one is a fighter and is in charge and loved,” according to a source.
Mpe’s lobbyists claim that he already has the support of the Sekhukhune region and the Norman Mashabane region, where his ally Pule Shayi has been re-elected for a third term as regional chair. Shayi is expected to contest the position of deputy chair of the province on Mpe’s slate.
ANC Limpopo spokesperson Jimmy Machaka has disputed this narrative.
“I disagree that the delay is about factional battles. Preferences and choices are political rights of members, branches and delegates, and that must be respected. To my knowledge the ANC Peter Mokaba regional conference is expected to sit and conclude its business this weekend,” he said.
Machaka claims that the contestation is not “rife” and that all members have the prerogative to support whoever is suitable to lead the region.
