The African National Congress (ANC) in the Eastern Cape will meet at the ICC in KuGompo to address concerns raised in a letter by its provincial secretary, Lulama Ngcukaitobi, to the party’s national leadership.
In his letter, Ngcukaitobi highlights several alleged irregularities, including the unlawful issuing of QR codes for Branch General Meetings, manipulation of the membership system, and inconsistent enforcement of the Step Aside Policy. He further claims that he had previously raised these matters with ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula, but that no action was taken. Mbalula has rejected these claims and is expected to attend the meeting.
Provincial spokesperson Yanga Zicina said the party is preparing for the discussions, stating:
“The Secretary General has written to the Provincial Executive Committee with the intention to have a sit down session together with the National deployees to the Eastern Cape to deliberate on issues contained in the letter from the provincial secretary. That meeting will be held Tuesday the 24th of March with an intention to find resolution to the issues raised.”
At the same time, an urgent application has been filed at the East London High Court in KuGompo to interdict the Provincial Elective Conference scheduled for Friday.
Applicants argue that the conference should not proceed while disputes over Branch General Meetings remain unresolved, warning that continuing under such circumstances would violate the ANC’s constitution.
This comes despite the Provincial Executive Committee already approving the conference to go ahead.
Zicina confirmed the ANC will oppose the legal bid, saying “We have seen the interdict which we have received. Our lawyers are attending to it, they will file opposing documents on Tuesday 24 March, and the process that relates to the court will then unfold. We will definitely be defending the organisation as we have been called upon to do so as the elected leadership of the ANC.”
