The removal of the Guptas from influencing government decisions was agreed upon when Provincial Working Committees (PWCs) of the African National Congress (ANC) in Limpopo and Mpumalanga came together for a high level meeting at an establishment outside Polokwane on Monday.
The leadership collective met to discuss how best to contribute towards the building and consolidation of the unity and cohesion of the ANC and ensuring it remains a leader of society. The meeting occurred as the organisation is preparing for its 54th national conference.
Sharing the content of a joint statement by the two structures with the media the Secretary of the ANC in Mpumalanga, Mandla Ndlovu referred to the Gupta issue having been on the agenda and said the meeting had agreed that the ANC should remove them from influencing government decisions and that the organisation should take its rightful position in governing the country without interference by those who were not elected by their people.
Touching on the issue of party processes of the next few months, he said the joint PWCs had agreed to allow branches to lead the nominations and said the provinces would consolidate the leadership views. It was their resolve that they would prefer consensus on leadership, in particular where the position of president was concerned and have thus committed themselves to working towards an uncontested conference, it was stated.
After its Monday meeting with the Mpumalanga delegation the PWC of the ruling party in Limpopo plans to meet with those in neighbouring provinces next before going to those in the rest of the country. Speaking to Polokwane Observer after the presser, ANC Limpopo Secretary Nocks Seabi indicated that they would possibly be meeting with their counterparts in Gauteng a fortnight on.
Story & photo’s: YOLANDE NEL
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