ANC infighting stalls regional conferences

12 December 2008 - 02:00
By unknown

Alex Matlala

Alex Matlala

Self-enrichment over tenders, tribalism and infighting among members over senior positions in the ANC has prompted the provincial executive committee to postpone some of the Limpopo regional conferences.

The elective conferences for Mopani and Capricorn regions have been postponed to January and February respectively.

But the Waterberg and Vhembe regions have resolved to hold their conferences before the end of the year. Sekhukhune is the only region that has held its conference.

Sowetan is in possession of a list of ANC bigwigs in Capricorn and Mopani who are eyeing lucrative tenders using girlfriends, relatives and friends, at the expense of suitably qualified individuals.

The concern over irregular awarding of tenders was also raised by ANC president Jacob Zuma on Wednesday. He said it was "unethical and unprocedural" for government officials to award or front tenders to themselves or friends and relatives.

In Mopani in particular, the fight for senior positions has turned ugly where members use tribalism to score cheap political points. For example, Shangaan-speaking people want Derrick Ngobeni as their preferred candidate for chairman, while Pedi-speaking people want the mayor of the Greater Letaba municipality, Joshua Matlou, to lead them.