An angry group of disgruntled members of the ANCWL were outside the venue dissatisfied about the allegedly flawed processes in electing the new leadership.

The group accused the outgoing leadership of dividing them for political gains.

This was done while about 155 delegates out of 55 branches from Dullah Omar region in the Metro assembled inside the big hall ready to elect the new leadership committee.

Inside was the most vibrant and highly contested conference in the history of the Women’s league. This was even confirmed by speakers who had witnessed the election process. Freedom songs and the chanting of slogans were the order of the day.

On the other hand disgruntled ANCWL members were not happy about the process leading to the regional conference. Many said the process was unfair.

One angry member said the BGM’s were conducted unconstitutionally.

“These all come with a person who is given a mandate from the ANC structures to officiate the BGM’s.Then branches nominate delegates. However this was not so in this RC.Other branches were only informed about the RC on Thursday while the RC was going to be on Friday.

“Some received the information as late as Thursday.The outgoing leadership did this deliberately knowing that it would be difficult for branches like us to challenge them.” she said.

“We are still members of the ANCWL and we are not going anywhere. I also want to dispute this new trend that when you challenge leadership about organisational disciplines of the movement you are labelled ill disciplined. This is fraud only intended to serve narrow political agendas by those who continue to insult our branch’s mandate by choosing to become political bankrupt to serve their friends.” she said.

Former Secretary of the ANCWL Judy Herman refuted the claims by the disgruntled members.She said the notices about the regional conference went late for all branches who were verified as in good standing.

“In good standing meaning that the branches were expected to have a minimum requirement of 50 members in good standing.

“So the branches that were excluded did not meet this criteria.

“If there are any grievances that arise from membership of the ANCWL those issues can be then raised within the structures of the ANC.

“The issues of contestation of leadership is a very much contested one, so people can define it as fighting but its merely difference over who should lead. But not a fight.” she said

President of the ANC, Jacob Zuma gave the Women’s League a surprise visit. He was welcomed to the applause of the Women’s league members. Zuma said The Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal posess s pecial challenges because in some instances the province was led by the IFP and while in the Western Cape the province is led by the DA. He said we must spend more time building unity so that we can win the province next year.

Among the new members of the regionial committee are; Nomawethu Tolbat as Chairperson, Audrey Daniels, Deputy Chair, Busisiwe Mthiya Secretary, Nondumiso Mothuko, Deputy Secretary and Mandisa Matshoba as Treasurer.