The eThekwini ANC regional task team has denied allegations of sabotaging conference preparations, amid claims that only one or two out of 111 branches have successfully elected new leadership ahead of the April 7 elective conference deadline.
Supporters of Thabani Nyawose and Nkosenhle Madlala are accusing the ANC’s regional task teams (RTT) of deliberately undermining conference preparations, allegedly to retain power and control ahead of the local government elections. According to the African National Congress roadmap, the conference is a crucial step in the party’s renewal process.
eThekwini Conference Preparations
With the deadline looming, concerned party members view it as highly improbable that the region will meet the April 7 deadline. Both Nyawose, the current council Speaker, and Madlala, council Executive Committee member and chairperson of the Governance and Human Resources Committee, are expected to contest for the influential chairperson position.
A lobbyist for Madlala, speaking anonymously, claims that a scheme has been uncovered wherein the task team leadership is deliberately impeding conference preparations due to fear of losing the election. The lobbyist stated that the true aim of the task team is to retain power and manipulate local government processes.
Allegations of Sabotage
A list of allegations against the regional task team includes:
- Deliberate delay of conference preparations
- Intimidation of branch members who oppose the task team
- Manipulation of the election process to favor the task team’s candidates
Nyawose’s chief lobbyist, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, said they have been wondering why branches and regions in other provinces are holding conferences, with the exception of eThekwini. The lobbyist cited the example of the South African Government website, which provides information on the country’s electoral process.
The party’s spokesperson in eThekwini, Thinta Cibane, denied these claims, saying there has been no reflection on the allegations of sabotage.
