Party members from the Frances Baard region have alleged that “member buying and gatekeeping” are taking place at the hands of “factional” branch secretaries, at both regional and provincial level.
ANC MEMBERS from the Frances Baard region handed over a memorandum to the party’s Northern Cape provincial secretary, Deshi Ngxanga, outside the provincial ANC offices in Kimberley on Monday, regarding complaints over the alleged manipulation of the membership database.
Members want their demands to be escalated to the ANC provincial executive committee (PEC), the office of ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule and the ANC national executive committee (NEC).
They alleged that “member buying and gatekeeping” are taking place at the hands of “factional” branch secretaries, at both regional and provincial level.
“The malpractices continue to exclude the bulk of legitimate members who are deprived from participating in the ANC processes as ANC members in good standing.
“Selfish individuals who are self-serving and who do not have regard for ANC processes, the ANC constitution and ANC guidelines …. are hellbent on advancing their agenda for a second term, even when they are not wanted. They appoint themselves to oversee processes in which they have direct interests and are directly conflicted because of being in cahoots with the ‘incoming leadership’.”
The memorandum pointed out that despite Magashule indicating last year that the ANC regional executive committee (REC) did not have legal standing as its term had expired, it was allowed to function.
“It is not legal and having dysfunctional branches … is suicidal to say the least.”
Members claimed that branch conferences were invaded and guidelines were not followed, while faulty scanners were reported.
“To date there has never been any membership verification or audits.”
March convenor Gloria Petersen called for the PEC to take full responsibility – as the “only legitimate and recognised” structure as its term of office had not expired yet.
“The PEC must facilitate fair processes of the ANC in line with the ANC constitutional requirement and ANC guidelines as adopted by the NEC.”
She urged for all branch conferences and branch general meetings to convene as from April 10 in line with the directive from the secretary-general’s instructions.
“We give the office 72 hours (April 22) in which to respond to this memorandum in writing. Failing which, will cause us to strengthen our action and escalate the matter to the NEC and office of the secretary-general to seek recourse to enforce justice and fairness to all ANC members in good standing.”
Ngxanga meanwhile advised party members “not to fight”.
“We are led by policies and values within the organisation. We need to lead as a collective and put our heads together to resolve any disputes.”
He committed to provide a comprehensive report in reply to the memorandum.
