Bloemfontein, Free State – African National Congress (ANC) members in Mangaung gathered in large numbers at the Kaizer Sebothelo House, the party’s provincial headquarters, to protest the second postponement of their regional conference.
The initial conference held last month was nullified after four extra ballot papers were discovered following regional elections. With local government elections approximately five months away, members express urgent concern that the delay prevents the selection of candidates who will stand as councilors.
Protesting branch delegates took to the streets demanding the conference be convened. One delegate emphasized that while ANC conferences have faced challenges previously, the discovery of extra ballots has never before been grounds for nullification. “It is wrong for an individual to decide to nullify a conference,” the delegate stated. “The constitution dictates that only the delegates themselves can make that determination. In this instance, a single individual deployed by the NEC unilaterally made that decision.”
Members voiced growing concern about declining morale among branch delegates, volunteers, and structures as the election timeline tightens. “The motivation of the delegates, the motivation of the branches, the motivation of the volunteers from the county is going down because they’re expecting that the region must sit and we have a stable region so that we can continue with our work of the elections,” one protester explained.
Another member noted that all required processes had been completed, including rerunning branch general meetings for candidate selection. “We did all that. All the branches reran our BGMs for candidate selection. They were supposed to allow us to have a conference on the 31st,” the delegate said.
In response, a provincial ANC spokesperson addressed the gathering after the conference adjournment. The spokesperson explained that the province was required to compile a report and brief the Secretary-General following the adjournment. “Upon scrutiny, it was insisted that some of the requirements in terms of the guidelines must be met,” the spokesperson stated. “The process needs to be cleaned in such a way that the conference is held in line with the constitution and the guidelines, such that we avoid possibilities of litigations.”
The Provincial Working Committee announced that a meeting with the regional leadership would be held by Wednesday to discuss a suitable date for the branches to convene. The committee urged members to remain patient, noting that other regions are also navigating complex preparatory processes.
As the party works to resolve the impasse, the focus remains on ensuring a constitutionally sound conference that can proceed with candidate selections critical to the upcoming local government elections.
