The conference was set to commence between Friday 25 November 2022 and Sunday 27 November 2022. On behalf of other applicants, Malefetsane Godfrey Selebedi says - in court papers - the group is seeking an interdict, prohibition and restraining order against the Mangaung Interim Regional Committee’s (IRC) planned three-day conference. 

The disgruntled applicants further seek a declaratory order against the IRC. The ANC's Mangaung regional spokesperson, Ncamisa Ngxangisa, has confirmed to OFM News that the party was served with a summons. Ngxangisa says the party will be opposing the interdict to halt the intended conference this week.

This is the third time this year that the disgruntled ANC members drag the party to court after the parties could not see eye to eye on many issues. In October this year, the ANC’s upper structure, the Provincial Committee (IPC), was served with court papers by disgruntled branches.

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In July, during another matter sitting in the High Court, the disgruntled group led by ANC member Ditaba Mokhutle settled with the IPC and this forced the party to then disband some of the interim regional structures, called Interim Regional Committees (IRCs), in particular, the Mangaung IRC. This structure has been at loggerheads with various councillors, including the Mangaung council speaker, Stefani Lockman-Naidoo, and former Transport Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC), Patrick Monyakoane.

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Selebedi adds in court papers that “it is my understanding that the process leading to the national conference commences with Branch Regional Meetings (BGMs) or Biennal General Meetings (BBGMS), convened for the purpose of electing branch delegates to attend the conference on behalf of the branches and its members, to express their views in respect of policy matters, and lastly those elected as foretasted to represent the organisation as office bearers at national, provincial, regional and branch level.

"It, therefore, goes without saying that branches, whilst they are the basic units of the ANC, play a very significant role in the eco-system of the organisation.”

The party is set to conclude a second day of registration today, which will be followed by the commencement of the conference.

OFM News