More than 200 ANC members from across BCM yesterday marched to the provincial ANC headquarters over the Mandela memorial fraud scandal.
The protesters want the party to release an internal investigation report produced by the ANC’s national integrity committee.
ANC leaders in BCM investigated include regional secretary Pumlani Mkolo, BCM mayor Zukiswa Ncitha, council speaker Luleka Simon-Ndzele and deputy mayor Temba Tinta.
Together with a number of business people, they are on trial for embezzling about R6-million meant for memorial events after the death of Nelson Mandela in December 2013.
Disgruntled ANC members who spoke to the Dispatch yesterday said the report was being kept under wraps to protect comrades.
During yesterday’s protest the group, which sang struggle songs in front of the provincial offices at Calata House, were asked to go and sit at the back of the building while their leaders held talks with provincial leaders inside.
BCM councillors Tony Mtintsilana, Rufus Rwexu, Nomiky Mngezi and Mxolisi Nkula stayed locked in a meeting with provincial secretary Oscar Mabuyane until late.
It is understood that regional ANC Youth League chairman Xolani Witbooi was also there.
“Things are falling apart in this region while the provincial leaders and those from national do nothing,” said a member from the Welile Salman branch in Ward 12.
Another said: “We are sick and tired of leaders who do nothing as if they are condoning these corrupt activities in our region.”
A member from a Duncan Village branch said they joined the protest after seeing how branch general meetings were conducted irregularly and in contravention of the ANC’s constitution.
“Branches are being stolen in broad daylight. Most branches are not allowed to elect their candidates from the floor and are spoon-fed with lists containing names of people they should endorse as branch leadership in the build-up to this upcoming regional conference,” she said.
At Calata House, the Dispatch team was accosted outside the premises by ANC security, who said the media was not allowed to attend or take pictures. Some members later joined the Dispatch outside Calata House and vented anger at “how the ANC had changed and discarded its constitution to protect individuals”.
Then Zwelitsha councillor Mtintsilana emerged from the building and told them to stop speaking to the media. Asked for comment, Mtintsilana said: “This is an internal party matter and we do not want it to be covered in the media.
Mabuyane could not be reached. — asandan@dispatch.co.za
ANC anger over fraud silence
The protesters want the party to release an internal investigation report produced by the ANC’s national integrity committee.
ANC leaders in BCM investigated include regional secretary Pumlani Mkolo, BCM mayor Zukiswa Ncitha, council speaker Luleka Simon-Ndzele and deputy mayor Temba Tinta.
Together with a number of business people, they are on trial for embezzling about R6-million meant for memorial events after the death of Nelson Mandela in December 2013.
Disgruntled ANC members who spoke to the Dispatch yesterday said the report was being kept under wraps to protect comrades.
During yesterday’s protest the group, which sang struggle songs in front of the provincial offices at Calata House, were asked to go and sit at the back of the building while their leaders held talks with provincial leaders inside.
BCM councillors Tony Mtintsilana, Rufus Rwexu, Nomiky Mngezi and Mxolisi Nkula stayed locked in a meeting with provincial secretary Oscar Mabuyane until late.
It is understood that regional ANC Youth League chairman Xolani Witbooi was also there.
“Things are falling apart in this region while the provincial leaders and those from national do nothing,” said a member from the Welile Salman branch in Ward 12.
Another said: “We are sick and tired of leaders who do nothing as if they are condoning these corrupt activities in our region.”
A member from a Duncan Village branch said they joined the protest after seeing how branch general meetings were conducted irregularly and in contravention of the ANC’s constitution.
“Branches are being stolen in broad daylight. Most branches are not allowed to elect their candidates from the floor and are spoon-fed with lists containing names of people they should endorse as branch leadership in the build-up to this upcoming regional conference,” she said.
At Calata House, the Dispatch team was accosted outside the premises by ANC security, who said the media was not allowed to attend or take pictures. Some members later joined the Dispatch outside Calata House and vented anger at “how the ANC had changed and discarded its constitution to protect individuals”.
Then Zwelitsha councillor Mtintsilana emerged from the building and told them to stop speaking to the media. Asked for comment, Mtintsilana said: “This is an internal party matter and we do not want it to be covered in the media.
Mabuyane could not be reached. — asandan@dispatch.co.za
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