Just a few months before the local government elections, the United Democratic Movement took a decision to disband its Eastern Cape provincial executive committee (PEC) and the O R Tambo regional leadership.The decision to disband both structures was taken by the party's national executive committee (NEC) in Pretoria on Saturday. UDM member of the provincial legislature Maxwell Mhlathi will act as the provincial administrator until an interim structure is elected by branches.
UDM president Bantu Holomisa confirmed to the Daily Dispatch that the PEC had been disbanded.
Holomisa said the decision was taken following squabbles between the provincial leaders - chairman Zama Mqolo and secretary Wandile Tsipa.
“In February the Eastern Cape branches will meet at a provincial council meeting to nominate the interim structure. The same council will decide when the provincial congress to elect a new permanent structure will be held.
“The reasons (behind the disbandment) are well documented. The major reason is the spat between the leaders in the Eastern Cape. That behaviour has put the party into dispute. One story was carried by the Daily Dispatch when they were arguing about the legitimacy of a leadership structure.
“The branches will indicate when they think there will be a congress. The O R Tambo region will also meet and prepare for the regional congress. All regions must have regional congresses to elect new leaders before the provincial congress takes place.”
The Dispatch understands that Mqolo and Tsipa's fight started after Mqolo presided over the O R Tambo region's elective congress which Tsipa felt should not have sat.
Tsipa declined to comment.
Mqolo said: “I'm not in a position to make any comment about this but all I can say is that I accept the NEC's decision. It was taken at the right time before the elections. It was taken for the sake of the organisation, not individuals. The party is bigger than me, I cannot go against it.”.
The now disbanded O R Tambo region's secretary Mabandla Gogo said the disbanded regional structure welcomed the NEC's decision.
“I can confirm that a resolution to disband the O R Tambo region was taken by the NEC. We welcome the resolution, we do not have a problem with it and we believe it was taken in the interests of the organisation and not an individual. There will be a general council (RGC) to convene all structures of the organisation where the reasons behind the disbandment will be detailed.”
UDM secretary-general Bongani Msomi said the decision would not affect their election campaign and that the party had to stand by its constitution.
Msomi said the NEC decided to take the decision before the upcoming elections to avoid creating confusion where factions carried different messages.
He said Mhlathi’s role would be to relay communication between the NEC and provincial structures.
Mhlathi confirmed he was the administrator and directed requests for further comments to the national office.
UDM disbands EC PEC just months before elections
The decision to disband both structures was taken by the party's national executive committee (NEC) in Pretoria on Saturday. UDM member of the provincial legislature Maxwell Mhlathi will act as the provincial administrator until an interim structure is elected by branches.
UDM president Bantu Holomisa confirmed to the Daily Dispatch that the PEC had been disbanded.
Holomisa said the decision was taken following squabbles between the provincial leaders - chairman Zama Mqolo and secretary Wandile Tsipa.
“In February the Eastern Cape branches will meet at a provincial council meeting to nominate the interim structure. The same council will decide when the provincial congress to elect a new permanent structure will be held.
“The reasons (behind the disbandment) are well documented. The major reason is the spat between the leaders in the Eastern Cape. That behaviour has put the party into dispute. One story was carried by the Daily Dispatch when they were arguing about the legitimacy of a leadership structure.
“The branches will indicate when they think there will be a congress. The O R Tambo region will also meet and prepare for the regional congress. All regions must have regional congresses to elect new leaders before the provincial congress takes place.”
The Dispatch understands that Mqolo and Tsipa's fight started after Mqolo presided over the O R Tambo region's elective congress which Tsipa felt should not have sat.
Tsipa declined to comment.
Mqolo said: “I'm not in a position to make any comment about this but all I can say is that I accept the NEC's decision. It was taken at the right time before the elections. It was taken for the sake of the organisation, not individuals. The party is bigger than me, I cannot go against it.”.
The now disbanded O R Tambo region's secretary Mabandla Gogo said the disbanded regional structure welcomed the NEC's decision.
“I can confirm that a resolution to disband the O R Tambo region was taken by the NEC. We welcome the resolution, we do not have a problem with it and we believe it was taken in the interests of the organisation and not an individual. There will be a general council (RGC) to convene all structures of the organisation where the reasons behind the disbandment will be detailed.”
UDM secretary-general Bongani Msomi said the decision would not affect their election campaign and that the party had to stand by its constitution.
Msomi said the NEC decided to take the decision before the upcoming elections to avoid creating confusion where factions carried different messages.
He said Mhlathi’s role would be to relay communication between the NEC and provincial structures.
Mhlathi confirmed he was the administrator and directed requests for further comments to the national office.
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