Rigging claims stall ANC Youth League provincial elections

The ANC Youth League’s North West elective provincial conference was delayed for two days due to a dispute over an allegation of rigging of delegates’ registration.

The Ngaka Modiri Molema region in Mahikeng and surrounding towns was the most affected by the alleged rigging – where attempts were allegedly made to register unknown or unqualifying delegates to enable them to vote in the conference.

Contenders for chair and secretary

This is as the battle lines were drawn between incumbent Wessels Morweng and Tshepo Mohlomi to be the league’s provincial chair, while Brian Huma and Masilo Xhinela are vying for the post of provincial secretary.

The gist of the contest centred around the two positions which are considered crucial to influence the league’s direction and politics of the province, both in the party and the provincial administration.

The provincial chair and secretary sit as ex-officio members of the ANC provincial executive committee (PEC).

Delays

The conference, scheduled to start on Saturday, was still grappling with the delegates’ registration.

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A member close to the situation, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the meeting yesterday was likely to begin late after some delegates began to trickle in to the conference hall from the registration centre.

The other option was for the conference, if it started at all and finished late, to elect the top six office bearers for the first round and then postpone the election of additional members, policy discussions and resolutions’ adoption for a later stage.

Morweng vs Mohlomi

Another member, who also requested to remain anonymous, said the contest between Morweng and Mohlomi is a close one.

Morweng’s opponents believed the entire PEC would be ousted in the elections with Mohlomi emerging as new chair and Xhinela as secretary.

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Morweng’s supporters claim he has the advantage of incumbency. Besides, Morweng is an influential leader with connections at the top of the ANC and government in the province.

An ANC member from the Ruth Segomotso Mompati region, who asked not to be named, said: “Morweng’s election as chair would be an expression of the ANC PEC and the government. Also, he has been part of the youth league for some time.

Demand for youth integration

“He also initiated a campaign called Mosha palong to demand that youth be elevated to strategic positions as mayors, speakers, chief whips, portfolio committee chairs in councils and to senior positions in the provincial legislature.

“That is why many youth currently occupy those positions,” the member said.

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