This time disgruntled ANC members have dragged the party’s Interim Provincial Committee (IPC) to the Bloemfontein-based High Court on a matter of urgency. 

ANC Branch 29 Secretary in Mangaung, Ditaba Mokhutle, tells OFM News that they are seeking a court judgment against the IPC to be dissolved. He says a number of factors have since ignited the court move and those include the failure to prepare and organise a provincial party conference.

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Mokhutle says another factor is that the IPC's nine-month lifespan has lapsed.

Meanwhile, ANC IPC spokesperson, Oupa Khoabane, confirmed it to OFM News that indeed the party has been taken to court.

ANC upper structures, including the Provincial Executive Committees (PEC's) and IPCs, were required to hold their provincial conferences in June, in preparation of the national conference in December this year. The IPCs in the Free State and North West have, however, been embroiled in party factional battles recently.

Mokhutle says for quite some time, they have tried to engage with the upper structure in the Free State but their call have seemingly fallen on deaf ears. He says they appear to be arrogant because they listen to nothing. Mokhutle has dispelled any suggestions that the court move could be influenced by factional battles.

Khoabane previously said the interim structure is in the process of visiting branches to assist them in preparing for their conferences, especially those that are ready, and work on reviving those that are defunct.

In April, the ANC’s National spokesperson, Pule Mabe, said the ANC was set to receive a report on the provinces but they expected provinces to hold a conference between May and June.

However, Khoabane has revealed that the IPC has adopted the road map which must culminate with the provincial conference in September 2022. “The members are expected to renew their membership and ensure that they appear on the branch registers. This will be amplified through the Siveze campaign. The work of uniting and renewing the organisation is continuing without hindrance and we hope that at the time of going to the provincial conference, much would have been achieved,” he added.

OFM News