MBOMBELA – One of the many dissatisfied candidates, whose hopes disappeared into thin air following the alleged irregularities during the recently held ward councillors nominations in Ward 37, Nsikazi branch, is calling on the top dogs of the ruling party to stop deploying their favourite candidates.
The ANC, however, says he was defeated legitimately and is sour because of this defeat.
“We demand that this must come to an end because it’s taking us nowhere but dividing the ANC branches,” said disenchanted candidate, Mr Vava Malandule, who had hoped to represent his ward in the coming municipal elections.
Malandule alleged that the ANC top structures, including the Regional Executive Council (REC) supported certain candidates.
“This simply means that the REC chose its own favourable candidates,” said Malandule. “Leadership is elected by branches, so what is the use of ANC structures interfering with the branches,” he said.
He added that a majority of South Africans still love the ANC but was not happy with the way things had been done during the elections of councillors.
“We call on the leadership not to sacrifice the lives of the citizens for five years by deploying their favourites,” he said. “We will not allow this to happen. For so many years we had no one representing us in the province but we always allowed the Hazyview branches to lead us and do as they pleased! We are tired of this,” added Malandule. He added the area had been left behind in a number of developmental projects, hence the lack of sports facilities.
The ANC’s provincial secretary, Mr Mandla Ndlovu, disputed the allegations made as unfounded. “The problem lies with candidates who don’t want to accept that they have been defeated. We also invite them to come to our offices to raise their concerns with us.”
