The party has since started with the first leg of the conference, which includes the registration of delegates from various regions' branches.  

The spokesperson of the ANC interim structure, called the Interim Provincial Committee (IPC), Oupa Khoabane, says the session started on Friday 20 January  2023 and they hope that it will be completed before midday.

Khoabane says a team is ready to deal with any query that may arise in relation to the accreditation of delegates.

OFM News previously reported that disgruntled party members from two regions, including Mangaung and Lejweleputswa, raised concerns about the manner in which the IPC dealt with matters arising from various branches.

A Mangaung parallel structure, which has been at loggerheads with the IPC, recently argued that 23 branches in Mangaung had issued disputes with the ANC's provincial dispute resolution committee, but only 3 of them were called by the party's upper structure - the IPC.

ALSO READ: Court dismisses application to halt Mangaung ANC conference

In December 2022, a large contingent of disgruntled ANC supporters protested outside the municipal offices of the Welkom-based Matjhabeng Local Municipality against the IPC.

They accused the ANC’s IPC and its convener, Mxolisi Dukwana, of endorsing irregularities, including the alleged rigging of the conference that was allegedly overlooked ahead of the Lejweleputswa 9th elective regional conference weeks ago. 

According to ANC branch chairperson, Raleting Motati, in ward 8 in the Matjhabeng subregion of Lejweleputswa, Dukwana had given his word that the Lejweleputswa conference would not take place in the midst of these allegations.

ALSO READ: ANC supporters protesting against IPC in Welkom - VIDEO

"We worked hard to deal with outstanding issues in relation to the accreditation of delegates, any person that may feel unhappy may raise the matter with the relevant teams assigned to deal with that.

Verification of delegates was thoroughly done to ensure that those who attend the conference were elected by their structures. All the voting delegates will be 667, branches form 90% of that number.

The venue has been adequately prepared to carry the conference sessions, and we expect everyone to be seated when we start with the conference. We have arranged transport to ferry delegates from places of accommodation to the conference venue, and that transport will be escorted by security to ensure that delegates move safely between these places. We have deployed security personnel at all the places we use for the event," Khoabane adds.

The IPC , for the fourth time in a row, failed to prepare and hold its elective provincial conference as expected.

ALSO READ: Fourth attempt of ANC Free State conference fails

The Free State ANC also recently become litigious with irate members dragging it to court over various issues, including the failure to hold conferences.

UPDATE: According to Khoabane, registration for the conference has temporarily been suspended. A notification will be made once the time for resumption has been concluded.

OFM News