“The writing has always been on the wall”, ANC members in Dihlabeng

Staff reporter

Bloemfontein – The results of the very first by-elections in ward 17, Paul Roux under Dihlabeng Municipality may have shocked many African National Congress (ANC) members in the region.

This follows the landslide victory by the Economic Freedom Fights (EFF) and in the by-elections held on 26 April 2023. The Fighters won Ward 17 by 57% while the ANC got 36%.

A source in the Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) said the by-elections are embarrassing for the ANC but more so for the Provincial Secretary and Head of Elections.

“We should not have lost Paul Roux, this is embarrassing for the party but more embarrassing for Provincial Secretary, Lihelele Motsoeneng and Head of Elections, Saki Mokoena as they both come from that region.”

Our source blamed the cracks in the party.

“We can’t have the Provincial Secretary and Head of Elections at loggerheads, when Saki went off the campaign trail our members in Thabo Mofutsanyane said they were told not to attend, they told us who called them but the ANC did nothing.

When the Saki had a workshop in Mangaung a few weeks ago none of the PEC and REC members attended, it’s sad. Go check the pictures on Facebook, they are still there.”

In ward 17, Paul Roux sources say the writing was always on the wall.

“When our BEC was snubbed by both the region and the province we knew it was over, only on the event of the elections when the Premier, Mxolisi Dukwana came we were asked to run around, it was too late. The writing was always on the wall.”

But it didn’t start now, the community burned ANC t-shirts when we went to campaign, and people are rejecting the ANC.”

Our source concluded.

“Even the candidate that was put forward, he belongs to a certain faction, and people are tight.”

A Facebook comment doing the rounds on Whatsapp purported to be from Ike Moroe, a PEC member paints a glaring picture.

In another post the ANC veteran said it’s time ANC bring proper people trusted by communities.

The irony is Jabu Mbalula, spokesperson for the ANC did not respond to our questions on the criterion used to recall MECs and the academic qualifications of the newly sworn MECs.

The ANC lost Maluti-A-Phofung, now ward 17 in Paul Roux on Wednesday, up next is the big one, Mangaung as we wait for IEC to set a date for by-elections. This was after the IEC told Toto Makume to relax as his intervention was premature.

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