Two ANC regions stage protests over election lists at party conference

27 May 2016 - 19:14 By Dominic Mahlangu

Disgruntled ANC delegates have converged outside St Georges Hotel in Irene in Pretoria where party leaders are meeting to decide on the list of candidates to represent the organisation in the upcoming local government elections.About 90 taxis and a bus are stationed outside the venue as unhappy party delegates say they want party leadership to intervene and stop the corruption in choosing who becomes a councillor or a mayor. Delegates from North West said their meetings were corrupted as provincial leaders want a certain outcome that suits their political agenda.Angry delegates from Northern Cape also protested at the venue on Friday‚ complaining that the ANC was using them as voting cattle while trampling on their rights to choose who must lead in their communities.On Thursday‚ a regional list conference in Bojanala district in North West degenerated into chaos.Speaking to TimesLive telephonically‚ provincial secretary Dakota Legoete said an undisclosed number of people tried to interrupt the proceedings but their attempts “failed”.“As we wrapped up the [regional] list conference of candidates‚ unknown people tried to gain access into the venue but marshalls and police prevented them from getting in. These people had a clear intention of disrupting the proceedings and showed signs of criminal elements."It is alleged that the unidentified people had a disagreement regarding who to put on the list. Comrades have since been divided and there are two factions that have different interests.Legoete said two people have since been arrested.On Friday afternoon‚ disgruntled delegates protesting outside the St Georges Hotel said they will not go away until their concerns have been resolved...

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