Limpopo ANC provincial executive committee (PEC) maintained that they would not reinstate former member of Parliament Boy Mamabolo’s name on the national candidate’s list.
This comes after Mamabolo sent out his lawyers to demand that they include his name or face the high court. The former MP also planned to interdict the swearing-in ceremony.
SM Patel Attorneys Inc., the legal representatives for the ANC Limpopo PEC, responded. They said there were strict rules that needed to be followed to have a person’s name nominated.
Minimum requirement of a post-matric qualification
These included a minimum requirement of a post-matric qualification. No pending charges by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), or a criminal record is also a requirement.
They added that Mamabolo’s appointment to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) was subject to the internal party process.
“Our clients deny removing your client from the ANC’s Limpopo list unlawfully, as he was part of the people who were shortlisted and invited for interviews with other ANC candidates. Wherein all candidates were subjected to abide by and uphold the rules for the 2024 national and provincial elections.
“Our client did not merely disregard your client. Ultimately our client indicated that he has to act within the ambits of the rules. Of which some of the important parts have been laid out above. And the candidature of your client had several material shortcomings. [These] could not be ignored by our client at the time of interviews,” reads the letter.
Missing matric certificate
Mamabolo’s name was eliminated from the candidate list allegedly due to a missing matric certificate. This was a necessity to make it through the interview.
He had provided a diploma in paralegal studies from the University of Johannesburg. However, this qualification was not enough to have his name on the candidates’ list.
Mahalatse Mokoape Attorney’s, who legally represent Mamabolo, detailed their demands. They stated in their final letter of demand that the former MP should be reinstated immediately. Failure to do so, the matter would be forwarded to the high court, they said.
Threat to take matter to the high court
They said that the party’s President Cyril Ramaphosa, secretary general Fikile Mbalula, and the National Working Committee of the ANC had promised to attend to the matter. However, they have since turned a blind eye, they claimed.
“We are therefore demanding that you reinstate our client on the list by the end of business today. Failing which we will have no other option but to take the matter to court for necessary relief. Including compensation and costs incurred,” reads the letter.
