ANC members in Eastern Cape accuse region of manipulating council candidate nominations

ANC members in the Dr WB Rubusana region in KuGompo, Eastern Cape, have accused regional leaders of manipulating branch nomination processes for council candidates ahead of the local government elections. The complaints also centre on the alleged victimisation of the ANC regional deputy chair, Malibongwe Mfazwe, by fellow regional leaders.

Claims of manipulation and victimisation

Members who raised concerns say nomination processes were organised in a way that favoured a faction led by regional chair Princess Faku, who is mayor of Buffalo City metro municipality. They allege Mfazwe is being sidelined because he opposes the alleged manipulation.

“This placement was influenced by political differences between Mfazwe and regional chair Faku,”

said a member who did not want to be named.

Alleged tactics and evidence

Those raising the alarm said a directive went to branches to submit empty nomination forms, with names to be filled in later after branch general meetings. They said this was done to enable the manipulation of outcomes.

The members said they hold documentary evidence including minutes, attendance registers and nomination forms from the 33 branches that nominated Mfazwe and offered to submit this evidence if ANC leadership requests it.

Next steps and possible legal action

The concerned members said they had decided to challenge the irregularities as an expression of their commitment to the party. They warned of further action if internal processes do not resolve the matter.

“Should internal ANC processes fail to resolve this matter within a reasonable period, we reserve the right to approach the high court to interdict the flawed and manipulated candidate selection processes.”

Region’s history of disputes

The report notes that the Dr WB Rubusana region has a recent history of internal disputes. It says some members previously took the party’s provincial and national structures to court over alleged manipulation of branch general meeting outcomes.

These allegations come as the ANC prepares for the upcoming local government elections. Party structures at regional, provincial and national levels have not been quoted in the available account.