By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The African National Congress (ANC) President Cyril Ramaphosa has noted with concern the divisions within the party in the North West province ahead of next year’s elections.
“We are exactly 11 months away from next year’s elections, and what I have witnessed today in the North West was that I am leading a divided party,” Ramaphosa said.
“Our divisions that I am seeing today are factional. This is the illness in our organisation… I am afraid that I have to tell you that the divisions that I see are concerning. We are members of the same family but are deeply divided.”
“We are facing the most difficult elections in 2024, but some of you are calling for the province and regions to be dissolved. When the ANC is divided right down the middle, we stand no chance in next year’s elections, but when we are united, we win,” added Ramaphosa.
The province has been marred by service delivery failures, with at least nine municipalities being placed under administration.
The party’s top brass comprising the top seven and the National Working Committee (NWC) descended on the North West this weekend in an attempt to resolve some of the issues faced in the province.
The Bojanala region has the most disputes (24), while Dr Kenneth Kaunda region has the fewest, with 14. The Ngaka Modiri Molema region has reported 23 complaints, while the Dr Ruth Mompati region has 15.
The ANC in its 55th National Congress, reaffirmed its long-standing resolution to renew the organisation and revive unity of purpose within its ranks. At the epoch of these resolutions, is the ability and political will of the organisation to implement its own good policies, fight corruption and instil discipline within the ANC.
Chaotic scenes marred the engagement on Saturday with the presidential protection services having to rush in to save the day and protect the president.
The drama started with the party’s national, provincial, and regional leadership attempting to have more people attend the event. At the same time, some removed the chairs in the sizeable auditorium to prevent too many empty seats.
Shouts of “catch that man” could be heard as the president’s security detail quickly moved in to catch the man.
The commotion had several attendees jumping up from their seats to catch a glimpse of what was happening.
The man was tackled to the ground not far from the stage, by the presidential security detail. He was stopped in his tracks before he could make it up the stairs, a few metres away from the president. The rest of Ramaphosa’s security detail ran straight to the president to shield him.
The man was quickly whisked away, with the media being prevented from getting access to him.
North West provincial chairperson Nono Maloyi claimed the man was mentally challenged.
The party has had ongoing organisational issues which have weakened its structures and seen several attempts by members to seek remedial action through the courts.
The provincial woes have been ongoing, but worsened after last year’s provincial conference, which was marred by divisions.
On Wednesday, the North West High Court in Mahikeng rejected a bid by disgruntled ANC members to overturn last year’s provincial elective conference.
In October last year, ANC members in the province lodged a legal challenge after alleging that they had been removed from the first and second leg of the conference, and that delegates who were not on the list had been substituted in their place.
Maloyi was elected as the party’s provincial chair at the conference.
The members, however, wanted the high court to declare the 9th ANC provincial conference unlawful and to invalidate all the decisions taken at the conference.