FS ANC's IPC on suspension of Mangaung speaker

Central SA

─── CATHY DLODLO 11:31 Fri, 28 Jan 2022

The ANC Interim Provincial Committee (IPC) in the Free State is yet to comment on an announcement by the party’s Interim Regional Committee (IRC) in Mangaung to suspend the metro's speaker, Stefani Lockman, with immediate effect.

The Provincial African National Congress (ANC) spokesperson, Oupa Khoabane, says the leadership is awaiting a report from the region on the matter. He says they take note of the decision by the region through the media and can only comment once a report is received and the matter is discussed.

OFM News previously reported that the regional committee suspended her for allegedly defying an order of the party not to allow a sitting, which saw the former Acting City Manager, Sello More, removed from his office. It is further alleged that she and other ANC councillors in attendance voted with opposition parties for the removal of More. His term of acting municipal manager was supposed to end on 31 January 2022, but was then cut short by days due to the controversial council resolution.

More has in the meantime decided to approach the Free State High Court on an urgent basis to fight this council resolution. (#BreakingNews: Urgent court bid launched against troubled Metro | OFM). The IRC in Mangaung has also indicated that the councillors who voted with the opposition will also face disciplinary steps.

Meanwhile, the Interim Provincial Committee (IPC) is meeting in Clarens, in the Eastern Free State, on Friday but it is not clear if the latest woes of the party in the region is on the agenda. Khoabane confirmed the meeting. “The meeting is held to discuss the preparations for the celebration of the ANC’s 110th birthday this coming weekend,” he explained. Khoabane said he does not know if Lockman’s suspension and the decision about 16 councillors is on the agenda of Friday’s meeting.

In a statement by the ANC in the Free State, after a sitting of the ANC’s Provincial Working Committee (PWC) on 17 January 2022, it stated the “ANC in the Free State has noted with concern the unceasing conduct of some leaders to express their opinion on organisational matters publicly, without engaging them internally”. It further stated that, as part of organisational renewal, the party “implore on all leaders to set a good example to members and the public by acting in accordance with the discipline of the organisation”.

OFM News