Central SA
Free State ANC to finally hold delayed conference─── KEKELETSO MOSEBETSI 09:51 Fri, 13 Jan 2023
Following several attempts to hold its much-anticipated elective provincial conference, the Free State ANC's interim provincial structure has finally revealed the dates of the conference.
The Free State ANC Interim Provincial Committee's (IPC) spokesperson, Oupa Khoabane, told OFM News they were waiting for the National Executive Committee (NEC) to give them a go-ahead to arrange a conference.
There were several failed attempts, allegedly as a result of factions within the party. Khoabane says the IPC held a meeting last night, Thursday 12 January 2023, and the committee resolved to convene its provincial conference at Imvelo Safari Lodge, outside Bloemfontein, from 20 to 22 January 2023, after receiving a verification report.
He explains the verification report confirmed that branches that qualified after their branch general meetings were 242, which is about 75% of branches. He says this shows that the province surpassed the 70% threshold to hold the conference.
ALSO READ: IPC awaits go-ahead for much-anticipated provincial conference
According to Khoabane, two regions above the 70% threshold have been given permission to hold their conferences – Fezile Dabi and Thabo Mofutsanyana. Their conferences will follow after the provincial conference. The leadership that will be elected at the provincial conference is expected to assist the two regions to arrange their conference.
Meanwhile, Khoabane adds that the IPC received court papers that litigate against the regional conference of Lejweleputswa.
ALSO READ: Fourth attempt of ANC Free State conference fails
“The Committee is concerned about the continuous trend to refer organisational matters to court, despite many efforts to resolve internal disputes satisfactorily. The documents have been referred to lawyers to prepare replying affidavits. Therefore, the IPC decided to defend the matter,” he said.
ALSO READ: ANC to address Free State members' anarchy
ANC Secretary-General (SG), Fikile Mbalula, recently said that the NEC will meet with the Free State ANC IPC in Mangaung to deal with what he described as "anarchy".
ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa called on party members to become one as their focus is now placed on renewing itself and becoming the mighty force that it’s always been.
