Chaos erupted at the African National Congress (ANC) Lejweleputswa regional conference in Ventersburg, Free State, on Sunday. Some delegates were seen trying to break into the conference premises.
The conference continues despite threats of court action from aggrieved party members. They claim that there are eight unresolved internal disputes in different districts.
Also in attendance is Free State ANC Interim Provincial Committee leader Mxolisi Dukwana, who also hails from the Leiveleputswa region. ANC National Chairman Gwed Montashe is expected to address the conference on Monday.
Mangaung faction elects leadership
One of the ANC factions in the Mangaung region held an elective conference at Imvelo Safari Lodge in Bloemfontein to elect its leadership.
This followed a failed High Court application by ANC members seeking an injunction to prevent the party’s Interim Regional Committee (IRC) conference from taking place.
The faction is headed by the former deputy chairman of the ANC of the Free State, Thabo Manyoni.
Mangaung Metro Councilor Patrick Manyakoana was elected chairman. Manyakoane is among the eight Mangaung metro councilors who were expelled from the IRC in August. They were found guilty of disobeying the organizational code and defying ousted council whip Vumile Nickel.
Manyakoane’s deputy, Mannapule Ntamo, a businessman and former senior government official, was part of the group that led the legal process that led to the dissolution of the party’s provincial executive committee, elected in May 2018.
Other elected officers are Tanyana Selebedi as Secretary, Millicent Matingo as Deputy Secretary and finally Lebohang Masoeetsa as Treasurer.
