The African National Congress (ANC) in the Free State says it is on course to stabilise the party, beginning with its branches, despite some reported irregularities in recent branch executive committee meetings.
Addressing the media at the provincial head office, ANC Free State provincial secretary Polediso Motsoeneng stated that 244 of the province’s 319 branches have successfully elected their branch executive committees. He acknowledged remaining challenges, particularly inconsistencies in the party’s membership system.
Motsoeneng emphasised that the party would not tolerate mediocrity, financial mismanagement, or corruption in struggling municipalities. The ANC, he said, remains resolute in turning around local government, restoring public confidence, ending non-performance, and rooting out corruption.
“The officials meeting on Wednesday will be inviting those comrades because the ANC is a process-oriented organisation. We would not just effect those things on a human basis; we have to consult those who are affected,” Motsoeneng explained. He added that the process would be undertaken by provincial officials in tandem with the affected regions and municipalities, and that “everything is finalised” and in motion.
The ANC has described the recent removal of the executive mayor of the Maluti-A-Phofung Local Municipality as a politically motivated move linked to the upcoming local government elections. Mayor Malekula Melato was removed through a motion of no confidence last week during a council sitting marked by chaos and disruption. The party believes some of the council’s decisions were unconstitutional.
“Remember this is a coalition. We are going for elections and we would not expect them to behave in a manner that will ultimately all the time give the ANC just a smooth ride. There is that tension that is at play between the ANC and its alliance partners in that municipality,” Motsoeneng said. He indicated that the party would engage its partners to resolve the issues and noted that some actions taken in the municipality were unconstitutional.
Motsoeneng reiterated that 244 of the 319 branches have successfully elected their branch executive committees. He warned that Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) or Regional Executive Committee (REC) members failing to comply with processes would constitute a contravention of the party’s laid-down rules. Branches have the responsibility to lodge complaints or disputes where individuals who should not participate actively do so.
The party added that the remaining 75 branches and interim branches will hold their meetings before the end of April. These gatherings are expected to pave the way for regional elective conferences.
Motsoeneng stressed the need for strict compliance with ANC rules during branch general meetings (BGMs) to ensure the stabilisation process remains on track.
