No immediate challenge to Mangaung
2012-12-16 17:37
Bloemfontein - There will not be an immediate court challenge to the ANC's Mangaung national elective conference, six disgruntled Free State ANC members said on Sunday.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Mpho Ramakatsa said the ANC leaders would be warned in a letter that the participation of Free State delegates in Mangaung was seen to be illegal.
Ramakatsa said their legal team would communicate to the ANC leadership and the conference organisers that they were in contempt of court.
He said the ANC was including delegates at the conference who not belong there.
On Friday, the Constitutional Court ruled that the Free State elective conference, held in June, its decisions and resolutions, were invalid and unlawful.
Reasons for the judgment would be given on Tuesday
Ramakatsa told journalists on the sidelines of the conference: "The ANC leadership has turned a blind eye for selfish reasons. To them it is all about numbers. All these people need there is numbers, voting delegates so that they can cling to power."
Ramakatsa said their fight was not about individuals. He said any future court action would not be on an urgent basis, but could include putting the Mangaung conference up for review should the Free State delegates stay.
He said the ANC was not safe in the hands of party president Jacob Zuma and secretary general Gwede Mantashe as party relationships had deteriorated under their watch.
Ramakatsa pleaded with delegates at the conference to place the ANC in good hands for 2014.
"We appeal to delegates to put their own interests aside for that of South Africa."
ANC policy head Jeff Radebe on Saturday said the Free State party leadership would not attend the party's national conference. Radebe said the national executive committee (NEC) would uphold the rule of law and acknowledge the Constitutional Court's independence.
Free State branch delegates would be allowed to attend however. Provincial ANC chairperson Ace Magashule would attend the conference as an elected NEC member.
- SAPA
