The ANC’s 50 branches in its Dr WB Rubusana region have been told they will only be able to send one delegate each to the party’s birthday celebrations today in the North West instead of the normal two.Delegates from the region, formerly known as the Buffalo City Metro region, left East London yesterday to attend the event traditionally celebrated on January 8.
They were also informed they will not be catered for.
Meanwhile, ANCYL provincial executive committee (PEC) members were told no transport arrangements had been made for them to attend the event to be addressed by President Jacob Zuma.
Party leaders claimed these measures were a result of financial constraints.
But members who spoke to Saturday Dispatch on condition of anonymity yesterday poured cold water on the claims.
They instead said the move was an attempt to “sabotage Zuma’s event” and that it had “everything to do with succession battle ahead of the party’s 2017 national elective congress”.
“It’s well known that these (provincial and regional) leaders are secretly supporting a faction that wants Zuma and his core out.
“So for them to send a small number to such an important event shows they want to weaken the party and sabotage this event,” said a branch secretary.
Another member said the Dr WB Rubusana region had recently boasted about raising R2-million from a gala dinner it hosted.
He said financial issues were not the problem.
“This is a calculated move to undermine the event and thus undermine the president,” he said.
The ANC will this morning celebrate its 104th anniversary in Rustenberg.
In an SMS to Dr WB Rubusana branches on Thursday, East London ANC zonal secretary Sindile Toni said: “Comrades it is disappointing to inform you that at the last hour, we were told branches will only be allocated one (delegate).
“Please note that those members must be able to have their own catering as no arrangements regarding food have been made,” wrote Toni.
He could not be reached for comment yesterday.
Meanwhile, in a letter from provincial ANCYL secretary Butsha Lali to all PEC members on Thursday, he stated there would be no transport arrangements for them.
Lali, who also could not be reached yesterday, asked PEC members to make their own transport arrangements.
Dr WB Rubusana regional chairman Xola Pakati said the region would only send one 65-seater bus as they did not have the “financial capacity” for more.
He called those who peddled the sabotage story as “mischievous” as a small region such as Dr WB Rubusana could not sabotage “such a huge national event”.
ANC provincial secretary Oscar Mabuyane said the party needed to use its finances wisely because another national event was being held in the Eastern Cape next month.
“It is very expensive to put together these events, especially in an election year,” he said.
“So we need to save our limited resources.” — asandan@ dispatchlive.co.za/
Supporters miss out on ANC party
Delegates from the region, formerly known as the Buffalo City Metro region, left East London yesterday to attend the event traditionally celebrated on January 8.
They were also informed they will not be catered for.
Meanwhile, ANCYL provincial executive committee (PEC) members were told no transport arrangements had been made for them to attend the event to be addressed by President Jacob Zuma.
Party leaders claimed these measures were a result of financial constraints.
But members who spoke to Saturday Dispatch on condition of anonymity yesterday poured cold water on the claims.
They instead said the move was an attempt to “sabotage Zuma’s event” and that it had “everything to do with succession battle ahead of the party’s 2017 national elective congress”.
“It’s well known that these (provincial and regional) leaders are secretly supporting a faction that wants Zuma and his core out.
“So for them to send a small number to such an important event shows they want to weaken the party and sabotage this event,” said a branch secretary.
Another member said the Dr WB Rubusana region had recently boasted about raising R2-million from a gala dinner it hosted.
He said financial issues were not the problem.
“This is a calculated move to undermine the event and thus undermine the president,” he said.
The ANC will this morning celebrate its 104th anniversary in Rustenberg.
In an SMS to Dr WB Rubusana branches on Thursday, East London ANC zonal secretary Sindile Toni said: “Comrades it is disappointing to inform you that at the last hour, we were told branches will only be allocated one (delegate).
“Please note that those members must be able to have their own catering as no arrangements regarding food have been made,” wrote Toni.
He could not be reached for comment yesterday.
Meanwhile, in a letter from provincial ANCYL secretary Butsha Lali to all PEC members on Thursday, he stated there would be no transport arrangements for them.
Lali, who also could not be reached yesterday, asked PEC members to make their own transport arrangements.
Dr WB Rubusana regional chairman Xola Pakati said the region would only send one 65-seater bus as they did not have the “financial capacity” for more.
He called those who peddled the sabotage story as “mischievous” as a small region such as Dr WB Rubusana could not sabotage “such a huge national event”.
ANC provincial secretary Oscar Mabuyane said the party needed to use its finances wisely because another national event was being held in the Eastern Cape next month.
“It is very expensive to put together these events, especially in an election year,” he said.
“So we need to save our limited resources.” — asandan@ dispatchlive.co.za/
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