By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The African National Congress (ANC) 9th provincial conference in North West is finally underway after hours of delay and legal drama that saw the interim provincial committee (IPC) stripped of voting powers.
Addressing the media on Saturday afternoon, Obed Bapela North West national executive committee (NEC) deployee said the ruling “has far-reaching consequences for the Free State and the Western Cape,” hence they are considering appealing it.
On Friday, Judge Frances Snyman ruled in favour of party members from Matlosana, led by Tshepo Bosman, and ordered the ANC and the IPC to pay his legal costs.
The applicant, Bosman, argued that the interim Provincial Committee (IPC) was unconstitutional as a result of its term of office having ended.
As a result of the ruling, the interim leadership’s participation at the provincial conference will be drastically limited, with Bapela announcing that NEC members will now be working hand in hand with the IPC member throughout the programme.
Bapela said while there wasn’t enough time to appeal the decision and have the IPC to take part in the ongoing North West conference, because it was already in progress, he said the NEC deployees were considering challenging parts of the ruling, including the cost order.
“We are looking into the matter of the order, particular at this point in time, because it has far-reaching implications for the Free State and the Western Cape that both also have an IPC that has been extended, as was the case with North West. The other two provinces also still have pending conferences, and that could also be a scenario that plays out there.
“The ANC’s national working committee will be engaging with the legal team through the secretary general’s office to see what could be done,” said Bapela.
He clarified the party’s reading of Friday’s ruling was that the Interim Regional Committee (IRC) could still take part in the conference, despite being appointed by the same IPC whose term of office has been deemed by the courts to have run its course.
Bapela also confirmed that another court challenge was pending saying they would also defend it in the High Court in Mahikeng.
While Bosman only sought an application against the IPC’s participation in the voting process, the new applicants want to interdict the conference itself.
The 20 affected IPC members included five of the seven candidates for the powerful position of provincial chairperson. They are premier Bushy Maape, IPC coordinator Hlomani Chauke, Human Settlements MEC Nono Maloyi, Economic Development MEC Kenetswe Mosenogi and Finance MEC Motlalepula Rosho.The other contenders are former provincial chairperson and premier Supra Mahumapelo and former Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality mayor Themba Gwabeni.
The second legal challenge against the North West ANC delayed Deputy President David Mabuza’s opening address to the 9th provincial elective conference at the Rustenburg Civic Centre.
The conference is a hot contest between former premier Mahumapelo, whose RET slate wants him back in the saddle and former MEC Nono Maloyi, Premier Maape, finance MEC Rosho and economic development MEC Mosenogi – who all contested under the President Cyril Ramaphosa ticket.