The ANC Free State elective conference, which was marred by chaos since its start on Friday night, saw the surprise appearance of former ANC member Hlaudi Motsoeneng at one of the caucuses at the conference venue, Imvelo Safari Lodge in Bloemfontein.
ANC leaders contesting for provincial chairperson include interim provincial convener Mxolisi Dukwana, former Free State ANC chief whip Vusi Tshabalala, former Mangaung mayor Thabo Manyoni and incumbent Free State leader Sisi Ntombela.
Sunday World understands Dukwana has the backing of the newly elected ANC top 7 to become the new provincial chairperson in an effort to block the return into political contestation of former party secretary-general Ace Magashule.
Luthuli House sent party chairman Gwede Mantashe to oversee the conference.
“Tshabalala’s rise is perceived as a gateway for Magashule to gain an upper hand and to muscle his way back to power,” one of the delegates at the conference told Sunday World.
It is also understood Ntombela had been treading carefully with her contestation as she did not want to create misfortunes for herself as provincial leader and end up being removed should she not toe the line.
“Sisi is playing a strategic game as she doesn’t want to anger the ANC national leadership by trying to contest for the chairperson position. She knows that Dukwana enjoys the support of Luthuli House and for her to stay in power as a premier, she should decline to contest for the position of chairperson, so that she could be safe. The same scenario prevails with Manyoni, as he knows that once he fails in his bid to become a chairperson, he would be isolated by the national leadership,” said the delegate.
The conference started on shaky ground, with politicians from other political parties attending ANC factional caucuses on Friday night.
Former SABC COO Motsoeneng was seen at Queens Park Lodge near Mimosa Mall, near the conference venue.
Manyoni, a former mayor of Mangaung, had his caucus hosted at the lodge, with Motsoeneng’s presence raising eyebrows.
“Hlaudi got into the venue and sat down while the caucus was taking place. He is not even a member of the ANC but was allowed to be there. He is close to Sisi Ntombela, but it’s a serious concern why he would come to Thabo Manyoni’s caucus, as Manyoni is pitted against Sisi for the position of chairperson,” said an insider close to the situation.
“Hlaudi has his own political party, with its own policies away from the ANC.
“Hlaudi was there to spy for Sisi and it’s clear he wants her to continue as a premier because he has interests in the Free State government.”
When asked why he attended an ANC caucus, Motsoeneng was cagey, initially saying he was not there, but later conceded he was present.
“I went there to see my friends, I had every right to be there. I have been a friend of Ace Magashule, Sisi Ntombela, Thabo Manyoni, Saki Mofokeng and Mxolisi Dukwana. I didn’t enter the room where the caucus was held. You are not going to push me to say things I don’t want to say,” said Motsoeneng
On Friday, the organisers had to temporarily halt registrations at Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium due to protests following allegations that there were bogus delegates insisting on being registered. Police had to be called in to quell the tension.
Yesterday, Tshabalala alleged there was a list of bogus delegates who had replaced legitimate delegates.
“After we had picketed …the ANC dispute resolution committee chairperson Mdu Manana travelled to Bloemfontein to come and resolve the matter. We had a meeting on Saturday [yesterday] from Friday night, and we were accredited after the matter was resolved.
“The office of interim regional committee in Thabo Mofutsanyane, led by Malekula Melato, a regional coordinator with her deputy Malefu Vilakazi, processed delegates submissions from branches and handed them over to the provincial coordinator. Those two people were deliberately trying to steal the conference,” said Tshabalala.
Melato and Vilakazi could not be reached for comment.
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