Former ANC member Hlaudi Motsoeneng made an unexpected entrance at one of the caucuses at the conference site, Imvelo Safari Lodge in Bloemfontein, during the ANC Free State electoral conference, which has been characterized by pandemonium since it began on Friday night.
Interim provincial convener Mxolisi Dukwana, former Free State ANC chief whip Vusi Tshabalala, former mayor of Mangaung Thabo Manyoni, and current Free State leader Sisi Ntombela are among the ANC figures running for provincial chairman.
According to Sunday World, Dukwana has the support of the newly elected ANC top 7 and plans to take over as the province’s chairperson in an effort to prevent Ace Magashule, the former party secretary-general, from entering the political arena once again.
Gwede Mantashe, the party’s head, was sent by Luthuli House to direct the conference.
One of the conference attendees told Sunday World that “Tshabalala’s rise is perceived as a gateway for Magashule to gain the upper hand and to muscle his way back to power.”
It is also thought that Ntombela exercised caution in her campaign because she did not want to jeopardize her position as provincial leader or risk having it removed if she disobeyed.
Sisi is engaging in a calculated game of strategy in order to avoid upsetting the ANC national leadership by attempting to run for chairperson. She is aware that Dukwana has the backing of Luthuli House and that, in order to keep her position as premier secure, she should reject to run for chairwoman. The similar situation exists with Manyoni since he is aware that the national leadership will isolate him if he is unsuccessful in his ambition to become chairperson, the delegate said.
With politicians from other political parties attending ANC factional meetings on Friday night, the conference got off to a rocky start.
Motsoeneng, the former SABC COO, was spotted at Queens Park Lodge, which is close to Mimosa Mall and the conference site.
Motsoeneng’s appearance at the caucus, hosted by Manyoni, a former mayor of Mangaung, raised questions.
“Hlaudi entered the location and sat down during the caucus. He was permitted to be there despite not even being an ANC member. He is close to Sisi Ntombela, but it raises serious questions as to why he would attend Thabo Manyoni’s caucus given that Sisi and Manyoni are competing for the job of chairperson.
“Hlaudi has his own political party that pursues independent agendas from the ANC.
It is obvious that Hlaudi wants Sisi to remain premier because he has interests in the Free State government. He went there to spy for Sisi.
Motsoeneng was coy when questioned why he attended an ANC caucus, initially claiming he wasn’t there before admitting he was.
“I had every right to be there; I went there to see my pals. Ace Magashule, Sisi Ntombela, Thabo Manyoni, Saki Mofokeng, and Mxolisi Dukwana are friends of mine. The room where the caucus was held was not entered by me. You won’t force me to say things I don’t want to say, Motsoeneng assured.
In response to complaints that there were fake delegates insisting on being registered, the organizers had to briefly stop registrations at Dr. Petrus Molemela Stadium on Friday. In order to reduce the tension, police had to be called.
Tshabalala claimed yesterday that there was a list of fake delegates who had taken the place of legal delegates.
“After we had picketed, Mdu Manana, the chairperson of the ANC dispute resolution committee, traveled to Bloemfontein to attend to the issue. We met on Saturday [yesterday] starting on Friday night, and after the issue was settled, we received accreditation.
Malekula Melato, a regional coordinator, and Malefu Vilakazi, her assistant, administered the interim regional committee office in Thabo Mofutsanyane. They processed delegation applications from branches and gave them to the province coordinator. “Those two were trying to steal the conference on purpose,” Tshabalala stated.
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