The African National Congress (ANC) in Ekurhuleni has been dealt a significant blow as the High Court in Johannesburg has ruled the 8th regional conference, held in 2022, as “chaotic” and invalid. This decision comes as a result of a legal challenge that questioned the legitimacy of the conference, which saw the re-election of Mzwandile Masina as chairperson.
Originally scheduled for 2021, the conference had been postponed due to the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, causing further anticipation and tensions among party members. When the conference finally took place from May 27 to May 29, 2023, at the Indaba Hotel in Fourways, northern Johannesburg, Gauteng province, it was marred by controversy and allegations of irregularities.
The court ruling not only declared the conference invalid but also invalidated all decisions and resolutions taken during the event. This means that the leadership elected from that conference, including the re-elected Chairperson Mzwandile Masina and the entire Regional Executive Committee, will now forfeit their positions, leaving the Ekurhuleni region of the ANC without a legitimate leadership structure.
The ruling has left the ANC Ekurhuleni region in disarray, raising concerns about the party’s internal processes and democratic practices. With the leadership declared null and void, the region will now have to organize a new regional conference to elect fresh party leadership. This will likely trigger a new wave of political maneuvering and campaigns as party members jockey for key positions within the region.
The court’s decision has also emboldened a dissatisfied faction within the ANC Ekurhuleni region, which had challenged the legitimacy of the 2022 conference. This faction is expected to seize the opportunity to recruit support and mobilize voters in their bid to gain influence and control in the party.
ANC members and political analysts have expressed mixed reactions to the court’s ruling. While some view it as a necessary step to uphold the integrity of the party’s internal processes, others worry that the legal battles and internal divisions might further weaken the ANC’s standing ahead of critical elections.
The ruling will undoubtedly have wider implications for the ANC at the national level. The party’s leadership may need to intervene to address the issues within the Ekurhuleni region promptly. Failing to do so may exacerbate internal divisions and potentially impact the ANC’s electoral performance in the region and beyond.
As the ANC prepares for the upcoming elections, the court’s ruling serves as a reminder of the importance of transparent and credible internal processes. It also highlights the need for the party to address any perceived irregularities and unify its members to present a strong and cohesive front to the voters.
The situation in the ANC Ekurhuleni region remains fluid, with party members anxiously awaiting the next steps from both the court and the ANC’s national leadership. As the party navigates through this challenging period, the focus will be on restoring faith in its internal structures and ensuring that the forthcoming regional conference is conducted transparently and without controversy.
Source:
https://twitter.com/SowetanLIVE/status/1681033211902844928?t=WZiVqkBWGZPV4zGeVRvFmQ&s=19
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