Doubts that ANC structures in Tshwane will accept Didiza

Ordinary African National Congress (ANC) branch members in Tshwane are sharply divided over who should become the mayor.

Already there are doubts that ANC structures in Tshwane will accept the decision from the top and rally behind the national leaders’ choice of former cabinet minister Thoko Didiza.

She was officially named at a press briefing at Luthuli House on Monday morning.

A planned meeting to introduce Didiza to ANC members in Tshwane over the weekend was disrupted by branch delegates and there was a shooting‚ which led to the death of a member.

The divisions are said to be between two groups: one supporting the current mayor Kgosientso Ramokgopa‚ and the other behind the regional deputy chairperson Mapiti Matsena.

ANC deputy secretary-general Jessie Duarte told a media briefing on Monday that the national executive committee (NEC) intervened after a request from the provincial executive committee (PEC) of Gauteng.

“…Tshwane regional executive committee had presented three names to the provincial executive committee. The PEC was‚ however‚ not convinced of the candidates proposed and made a presentation to the NEC for intervention in Tshwane.”

Duarte said the party condemned the killing of a member of the ANC as a result of divisions in the region.

“The ANC has noted and is deeply disturbed by the outbreak of violence which took place at the outskirts of where the meeting was held yesterday. One person who was member of the ANC passed away and several others were injured‚” she said.

Duarte said the deployment of Didiza was an indication of the party’s commitment to strengthen its capacity at local government level.

“Her nomination for a mayoral position demonstrates our commitment to strengthen the capacity of leadership at local government level.

“We are confident that once elected by the people of Tshwane‚ she will continue to build on a solid foundation laid by Kgosi Ramokgopa.”