Magashule’s nemesis Dukwana named as Free State ANC convenor

Mxolisi Dukwana, suspended ANC secretary Ace Magashule’s arch-rival, has been appointed as convenor of the Free State interim provincial committee (IPC).

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Dukwana, a former Free State economic development MEC, was appointed as a part of a team of 40 to take the province to an elective conference “in due course”, ANC deputy secretary-general, Jessie Duarte, said on behalf of the party’s national working committee (NWC) on Tuesday.

The IPC has been appointed after Free State ANC ‘s 2018 conference, that elected Magashule ally Sam Mashinini as provincial chairperson, was declared unlawful by the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA), leaving a leadership vacuum for the party in the province.

Watch the Duarte speech below:

ANC DSG Comrade Jessie Duarte Briefs the media on outcomes of the NWC meeting#ANCNWC https://t.co/HfSwXvin04

— African National Congress (@MYANC) May 25, 2021

Disgruntled ANC members Matshepo Ramakatsa, Themba Mvandaba and Shashapa Motaung had approached the Supreme Court or Appeals after the Free State High Court threw out their case, which allowed Mashinini and the provincial executive committee’s (PEC’s) election to stand. They were eventually successful in having the conference annulled by the SCA.

Ramakatsa, Mvandaba and Motaung contended that the 2018 conference was held before branches and memberships could be audited, and SCA agreed with the three.

Dukwana has previously implicated Magashule in impropriety and corruption at the Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture. He claimed Magashule had sacked him from his MEC post in 2012 for refusing to toe the Gupta line.

He has also called Magashule a “blesser to many” because of the contentious asbestos audit project, saying the former Free State premier belonged in prison.

“Mr Magashule was simply a blesser to many due to payments advanced by Mr [Ignatius] Mpambani from monies corruptly and fraudulently sourced from state coffers through the asbestos project,” Dukwana said in 2019.

The IPC’s installation comes after former president Kgalema Motlanthe was deployed to the province by Luthuli House, to facilitate talks between warring factions in the province.

The IPC’s members are:

1. Mxolisi Dukwana (convenor)
2. Sefora Ntombela (deputy convener)
3. Paseka Nompondo (coordinator)
4. Polediso Motsoeneng (deputy coordinator)
5. Saki Mokoena (provincial head of elections)
6. Moretlo Nonoise
7. Marqueen Letsoha
8. Makhosini Msibi
9. Martha Selaledi
10. Ike Moroe
11. Kelebogile Wesi
12. Kgotso Sesele
13. Kenalemang Mohale
14. Toto Makume
15. Malebasa Mosoue
16. Gregory Nthatisi
17. Kenalemang Phukuntshi
18. Seiso Mohai
19. Elsabe Rockman
20. Mongi Ntwanambi
21. Mamiki Qabathe
22. Mathabo Leeto
23. William Bulwana
24. Tshidi Koloi
25. Makalo Mohale
26. Lindiwe Makhalema
27. Tefetso Phitsane
28. Sam Mashinini
29. Maggy Sotyu
30. Madala Ntombela
31. Lilo Mashiya
32. Thabo Meko
33. Montsheng Tsiu
34. Thandoxolo Khalipa
35. Thembeni Ncangisa
36. Nthabeleng Portia Mofokeng
37. Dibolelo Mahlatsi
38. Mzwandile Thakudi
39. Castro Thabane
40. Oupa Khoabane