Speaking on behalf of the group of 106, Pakiso Mqikela, tells OFM News that the matter will sit on Thursday at the Mmabatho High Court. He says they want the court to give an order which would direct the (PLC) Provincial List Committee to replace all of the affected individuals as councillors. Mqikela says the PLC had found that due processes were not followed when deciding on the final list for the 2021 local government election's ward candidates.

“All the affected people, based on the guidelines of the ANC and selection processes, let them be put back as the choice of the communities to lead their constituencies. Mind you, the guideline processes of the ANC are very clear,” he adds.

Mqikela adds wrongful councillors, who were not the first choice of residents, were parachuted to positions by the IPC and this must be rectified. 

OFM News previously reported that ANC members in Klerksdorp in Matlosana in 2021 marched to the local offices of the ANC, whilst in Moretele residents descended on the ANC headquarters in Johannesburg with violence breaking out in Swartruggens over the candidate lists in those provinces.

The ANC’s IPC Convenor, Hlomani Chauke, told OFM News in 2021, whilst responding to the allegations that the IPC was rigging the candidate list, that there is no way they can undermine the outcome determined by the community. He said every outcome of a community meeting is what has been recorded because it’s a partnership between the ANC and the community.

However, Mqikela says the ANC president, Cyril Ramaphosa, had committed to fix these issues and they want the ANC to act on their promises.

“There has to be an eviction. If the court grants us the eviction, everybody who has been parachuted into the system must immediately be evicted from the municipality. Then the PLC, as the custodian of this, will be able to replace the councillors as per the list. This will enable us to go through the process.

"And, amongst other things, the IEC is also the respondent in this particular matter that we are busy with,” Mqikela adds.  

In Matlosana, 106 members have been affected from 39 wards. Mqikela further adds, per the report of the PLC, wards like ward 1, 2, 6, 10, 11, 13 , 14, 18, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27,and 36 were also affected by this manipulation and alleged rigging of the list.

OFM News