By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The African National Congress (ANC) Ekurhuleni elective conference has finally got underway on Saturday after it was delayed several times over accusations that some members have been disqualified and certain branches have been excluded.
ANC Gauteng chairperson David Makhura used his keynote address at the opening of the party’s regional conference to condemn the infighting that has seen heavily-armed security guarding the conference venue.
The conference is being held at Indaba Hotel in Fourways, Johannesburg, this weekend.
“When you walk around here it’s like a war zone. This must make us ashamed as ANC members,” Makhura said. “I see arms. I see the sort of things happening that says this is not a conference of the ANC. We must be ashamed.”
Chairs, bricks and fists flew between delegates and security during the registration of delegates in Boksburg and Fourways on Friday over disputes and unhappiness over some branches being excluded from the conference for failing to meet certain requirements.
Makhura tore into the delegates saying he has seen weapons at the venue that he has never seen before at an ANC conference.
He said branch delegates must know there are guidelines to be followed for them to be part of a conference because “you don’t just arrive at conference”.
“Those in leadership, it is also not acceptable to abuse the process to want to exclude those who may not be supporting you. It has been a complete shame what has characterised this conference,” Makhura said.
Ekurhuleni Chairperson Mzwandile Masina is up against the ANC’s former regional treasurer Doctor Xhakaza.
Masina is running for a third term as regional ANC chairperson.
Xhakaza’s supporters claim branches that have shown support towards him have been excluded from participating in the conference.
The Sedibeng regional conference is also taking place on Saturday while the other Gauteng ANC regions, including Johannesburg, Tshwane, and West Rand have been placed on hold.
The ANC has been on a steady electoral decline for several years in Gauteng and its municipalities.
In 2019, the province managed to remain in charge of the province. In the 2021 local government elections, the picture was different as the party lost control of three metros – Joburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni.