Frank Maponya

Frank Maponya

The South African Students Congress in Limpopo has suspended five of its members accused of attending the Mosiuoa Lekota-led national convention in Johannesburg last week.

Among those suspended, with immediate effect, is former deputy president of the organisation Abel Tjia.

The six are accused of defying Sasco's stance that the student body is behind the ANC.

"We are aware that some members within our ranks have contravened the regional executive committee resolution by attending the convention whose intent is to form a new party which will contest elections against the ANC," said Sasco Capricorn regional chairman Ngoako Selamolela yesterday.

He said the suspended members had done so against the mandate of the congress and the national executive committee, "thus undermining the decision-making structures of Sasco".

Selamolela said the association of those members with the new party would confuse the public because they also leaders in various structures of Sasco .

Those suspended included Tjia, Philemon Selomo, Wesley Maringa and Abel Rangata, all from the Unisa branch in Polokwane. Others are Nthuse Lebepe from the University of Limpopo's Turfloop campus and a Sasco member identified only as Majipa from Capricorn FET college in Seshego, Polokwane.

Selamolela said those suspended could no longer debate any matter on behalf of Sasco .

Selomo and Rangata are former provincial secretary and deputy chairman of Sasco respectively.

"We want to announce to the public that they have nothing to do with Sasco.

"Sasco in the region remains committed to delivering the students vote to the ANC," said Selamolela.

"We, therefore, call on all our members not to follow in the tracks of these individuals."