FS regions want ANC to disband PEC

May 30, 2012 | Olebogeng Molatlhwa Political Reporter | 1 comments

SEVERAL members from ANC regions in Free State have pleaded with secretary-general Gwede Mantashe to disband the provincial executive committee under premier Ace Magashule.

The members, who staged a sit-in at the party's national headquarters in Johannesburg this week, expressed dissatisfaction with Magashule's leadership.

Members from three provincial regions - Thabo Mofutsanyana, Motheo and Lejweleputswa - invaded Luthuli House on Monday night to demand that Mantashe and the ANC's national executive committee disband the provincial structure.

They claimed that Magashule, who has led the ANC in Free State since 1992, interfered in regional affairs and influenced the election of leaders who were sympathetic to his re-election bid as provincial chairman. The province is preparing to hold its provincial conference next month, where former finance MEC Mxolisi Dukwane will contest Magashule.

Motheo regional member and former Umkhonto weSizwe Military Veterans Association cadre Mpho Ramakatsa yesterday told Sowetan that Magashule had a firm grip on regions and did not follow party procedures.

"He manipulates party guidelines and audit branch meetings to have his favourites elected during elections.

"We want Mantashe to disband the provincial executive committee, and we also call on the national executive committee to take control of the running of the province."

Ramakatsa accused Magashule and the provincial executive committee of "illegally" handing over responsibility of auditing branches to provincial deputy chairman and Magashule's lieutenant Thabo Manyoni.

"Audits are the responsibility of the secretary, but the PEC resolved to give that responsibility to deputy chairman Thabo Manyoni," said Ramakatsa. "They want to work with people who swear allegiance to them and not the organisation."

Magashule has recently come under fire for convening regional conferences despite branch audits not having been completed.

Regional members also raised other issues, including that Manyoni retained his position as chairman of Motheo region while he also served as ANC provincial deputy chairman.

Ramakatsa said they gave their demands to staff members at Mantashe's office and were assured that Mantashe would "revert back to us by the end of this week".

ANC spokesman Keith Khoza confirmed that the group had visited Luthuli House. - molatlhwao@sowetan.co.za