Tefo Raphadu is the new rooster in the ANC Zone 13 roost

A new rooster has taken over the ANC Zone 13 roost, which covers areas that have now become known as greater Alexandra.

That roost is now headed by a new executive led by Tefo Raphadu as chairperson. It came to power in November following the dissolution of the previous executive leadership group that was elected in September and led by Kenneth Mgaga.

In an interview with Alex News, Raphadu, also Ward 105 councillor, said the previous elections had been contested purely on an administrative issue around how the elective conference of the zone was organised and executed.

“There was load-shedding on the day and as soon as it struck, many people decided to leave the meeting. The other bone of contention was the barring of Ward 72 from participating in the conference which then tainted the whole process.

“Despite all these issues, the process was however allowed to continue and eventually led to comrade [Kenneth] Mgaga being elected. The dispute around the election process of the Mgaga executive was eventually taken to the regional office, which, after deliberations with all parties present, reversed the outcome of that election and ordered fresh elections,” Raphadu said.

He said the finding was that there were discrepancies due to load-shedding and some people have left the conference the election process was declared as not free and fair and a re-run was ordered, which resulted in the election of a new executive headed by Raphadu.

“There is no difference, bad blood or animosity between the new executive and that which was led by Mgaga. We asked our comrades [Mgaga executive] to come to do a proper handover of power, which they gladly did and is a sign that there were no ill feelings at all,” Raphadu said.

Contacted by Alex News, Mgaga admitted there was a dispute lodged with the regional office and eventually a re-run was ordered and a new executive was elected.

ALSO READ: Councillor Tefo Raphadu accused of ‘ducking and diving’ residents