Chupu Mathabatha remains Lim ANC’s main man
The EFF, the official opposition party in Limpopo, says the mere fact that the ANC Provincial Elective Conference was interrupted by an urgent application in the South Gauteng High Court was proof enough that Party Chairperson and Premier, Chupu Mathabatha, was weak.
LIMPOPO – EFF Mopani Regional Chairperson, Pontsho Mashumu, said the move also proved ANC members in Limpopo had lost confidence in the party under the tutelage of Mathabatha.
“That is why instead of seeking refuge from lawyers representing the party, the disgruntled members opted to seek comfort from EFF National Chairperson, Dali Mpofu, to represent them in a court of law.”
Mpofu argued in court papers that the Limpopo ANC Provincial Executive Committee (PEC), which presided over the conference, was illegitimate and unconstitutional.
He told the court the term of office for the Limpopo ANC PEC had lapsed on 14 February this year and was thus ‘unlawful and should be annulled’.
The application was, however, dismissed with costs by South Gauteng High Court Judge, Nana Makhubele, saying the matter was not urgent. The conference, which was also marred by tribal squabbles, has elected both those who supported Ramaphosa going to Nasrec in December and those who were against him.
Mathabatha, who had earlier refused election at the December conference was re-elected unopposed for a second term. Florence Radzilani, who is the Vhembe District Municipality Mayor, was elected Deputy Chairperson. Former ANC Provincial Chairperson and Premier, Cassel Mathale’s favourite, Soviet Lekganyane, was elected Party Provincial Secretary.
ANC Mopani Regional Secretary, Baisekopo Makamu, was elected Deputy Provincial Secretary.
He was nominated by almost every region under the unity ticket.
Businessman Danny Msiza beat mining magnate, Tim Tebeila, for the position of Treasurer.
President Cyril Ramaphosa likened the leadership elected to a choir singing in different harmonies but with the same goal.
Monday, ANC ward 5 councillor in the Greater Giyani Municipality, Eric Kobane, affectionately known on the music scene as Penny-Penny, accused Mathabatha of being an architect of tribalism in Limpopo. He was set to contest the position of provincial chairperson but lost.
“I lost the conference not because people do not have trust in me, but because I went to the war without sufficient resources,” said Kobane. “Since the dawn of democracy, all Limpopo premiers were Pedis.
“Does it mean both Vendas and Tsongas do not have the qualities of becoming ANC provincial chairpersons and premiers?” he asked.
“That is pure tribalism and we must do away with this scourge in 2019 after the national government election.
“We must make sure Limpopo has its first Venda or Tsonga premier,” explained Kobane.
