Zuma camp controls Limpopo

2008-07-20 20:10

Thohoyandou - The African National Congress's Limpopo conference at the University of Venda ended on Sunday with the Zuma camp having taken control of the province.

Led by former provincial secretary Cassel Mathale, who defeated premier Sello Moloto for the position of provincial chairperson, the pro-Zuma candidates were elected in all the top five leadership positions in the province.

Mathale garnered 587 votes to Moloto's 353.

The election of the new leadership was preceded by violent clashes between supporters of Moloto and Mathale during the build-up to the event.

Dickson Namane Masemola, was elected to the position of deputy chairperson, defeating rival Motalane Monakedi by 238 votes.

Other new top office-bearers included Joe Maswanganyi as secretary, Pinky Kekana as deputy-secretary and Dipuo Letsatsi as treasurer.

'Unity is the aim'

Delegates elected the provincial executive committee on Sunday, but results were still due after some members had complained about fatigue and asked to be released, requesting that the results should be sent to their branches.

Addressing delegates at the end of the conference, Mathale urged them to work towards achieving unity within the ANC in the province.

"The tasks that lie before us are greater than all of us as individuals. Only as a united collective force, deeply committed to the goals of our national democratic revolution, can we be able to drive our movement forward and be able to build a better life for our people."

Mathale pledged to work hard in ensuring that divisions within the party and the province were addressed.

"As a collective, we shall work tirelessly to strengthen this organisation and to deepen its commitment to the unity of all forces in the pursuit of total liberation."

- SAPA