Dukwana wins chaotic conference while Ramaphosa downplays vote rigging

The African National Congress in Free State finally had its Provincial Conference after several postponements and elected its new leadership, it was the Dukwana slate that won all top 5 positions with huge margins.

As expected the conference started with ANC members turning the registration center upside down after they found their names not appearing in the register having been replaced, this forced the ANC to shut down the center temporarily while angry delegates demanded intervention by the national leadership.

It was only after delegates clashed with police just outside Imvelo Lodge where 6 people were arrested that Mduduzi Manana attended to their concerns and they were registered in the early hours of Saturday and received their accreditations.

Among the issues raised; branch delegates were changed and some branches had more delegates than they should have.

One branch in Mangaung delegates duly chosen were “mistakenly” or “deliberately” omitted or changed only for Mdu Manana to reinstate Desmond Serape and Masabata Moeng but what happened to those who were in their place? Sent home?

The other two delegates who were only reinstated by Manana were Monki Leballo of Ward 3 and Lizzy Mbena of ward 45, what happened to those who were in their place?

The thorny issue in the conference was the credentials and it went down to votes with:
276 supporting the credentials
238 not in support
136 did not vote

The total was 650 and according to some delegates, this is the number that was adopted by the conference.

With the ANC in the province allegedly having failed to pay staff salaries the question of who booked and paid becomes very necessary and obviously how much in total.

Another confusion that the IEC failed to fully explain was a tally of voters as votes exceeded the 650 adopted by delegates and this had interjections while IEC’s Terry Tselane dealt with IEC matters.

In one instance Tselane announced Dukwana received 346 votes while Ntombela received 306 and that gives you , where did the extra 4 votes come from?

In the provincial secretary results Tselane announced Motsoeneng received 349 votes, Nompondo received 303 votes and 5 votes were spoiled, which gives you 657, 7 more than the 650 adopted.

It’s a matter of time before Dukwana reshuffles the cabinet and the State of The Province Address (SOPA) will be delivered by Dukwana. The biggest challenge facing this newly elected team is what Gwede Mantashe alluded to which is getting the province to function top-down.

Congratulations to the newly elected:
Mxolisi Dukwana
Ketso Makume
Polediso Motsoeneng
Dibolelo Mahlatsi
Mathabo Leeto

Addressing the media the newly elected chairman, Mxolisi Dukwana arrogantly said he is willing to work with any member but he will not run after anyone in response to a question from Norman Masungwini, City Press journalist.

It was the president that broke down challenges and problems in Free State before taking an indirect swipe at Ace Magashule former Secretary General of the ANC.

He then turned his attention to delegates who complained about what the conference adopted against the votes tally.

“I was watching on tv when delegates complained about extra 7 delegates” in what could be seen as mocking his own party delegates that will be expected to do door-to-door in few months.

He further asked ANC members to stop taking the party to court, the irony is as a president he took parliament to court over Phalaphala Report and CR17Statements.

A lot happened behind closed doors with Saki Mokoena refusing to withdraw his nomination but it was Fikile Mbalula, the Secretary General who allegedly saved the day for Ramaphosa faction.

If you have news or tips please email us at news@stepupsanews.co.za or WhatsApp 0685000246