Free State SACP spokesperson, Phillip Kganyago, says they have long expressed their views regarding the councillors to the ANC, which entailed that they be retained by the party as its candidates. He says the councillors were consistent with what the ANC stood for and played a role in the fight against maladministration and corruption. 

The councillors who were accused of defying the party’s resolution to nominate and vote for a party-preferred candidate into the mayoral office were expelled last year after being found guilty of voting with opposition parties during the election of the executive mayor, Gilbert Mokotso. The group has since announced that they will be contesting the August 28 by-elections as independent candidates.

Kganyago tells OFM News that they are fully supportive of the actions of the councillors who have been expelled and don’t see any reason that allows the Communist Party to dump them for standing for what they believe the ANC should stand for. 

OFM News