Application to nullify ANC Eastern Cape conference fails

The application to have the controversial Eastern Cape ANC conference nullified was dismissed at the Gramhamstown High Court with costs today.

Eleven disgruntled members of the ruling party approached the court to have the conference, which elected Oscar Mabuyane as provincial chairperson, nullified and decisions made at the conference also declared null and void.

Nomawethu Mgabadeli, the first applicant along with 10 others wanted the court to declare that “the Eastern Cape provincial conference held in East London on September 28 to October 1, and the decisions taken in that conference declared unlawful, illegal, unconstitutional and consequently null and void,” read court papers.

The applicants also wanted the election of Mabuyane and all 36 ANC office bearers to be nullified and set aside and for the ANC to foot the bill of their application.

The ANC was the first respondents in the case while Mabuyane is second respondent, cited along all members of his provincial executive committee.

Lulama Ngcukayithobi, provincial secretary of the ANC, said they were relieved.

“We are not relieved for ourselves as the ANC but for the various constituencies in the broader society. This judgment brings about stability both inside the ANC as a leader of the society but also to government. There is an element of certainty now,” he said.

He said their focus was now because the provincial committee was at the national conference.

	Lubabalo Ngcukana Journalist City Press p: +27 11 713 9001 w: www.citypress.co.za  e: Lubabalo.Ngcukana@citypress.co.za
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