Officials face trouble over Mantashe claims

TWO Eastern Cape ANC officials face the party's wrath after speaking out against secretary-general Gwede Mantashe's presidential ambitions.

Luyanda Nogemane and Zolile "Blade" Masimini have 48 hours to explain why they should not be charged with indiscipline for saying earlier this month that Mantashe wanted to use them to launch his presidential campaign ahead of the party's 2017 elective conference.

Mantashe is said to harbour ambitions of ascending to the ANC's highest office.

Nogemane is Lukhanji sub- regional deputy secretary and Masimini is Inxuba Yethemba's sub-regional secretary.

They accused Mantashe of trying to hijack branches in the Chris Hani region and use them as a launch pad for his campaign after Mantashe, on behalf of the ANC's national working committee (NWC), summoned all branch and subregion secretaries and chairs in Chris Hani to meet at the Cala Indoor Sports Centre. Cala is Mantashe's hometown.

Those at the meeting, including Nogemane and Masimini, allege that Mantashe instructed them to either toe his line or face the chop.

This was interpreted by some as an attempt to force them to back his campaign.

NWC members Zizi Kodwa and Fikile Xasa were present.

Provincial secretary Oscar Mabuyane confirmed yesterday that the two had been served letters asking them to explain why they should not be charged with indiscipline.

It is understood that this was a resolution of the provincial working committee, which met in King William's Town two weeks ago.

What appears to have angered the ANC most is Nogemane's claim that the Cala meeting was not called to address party matters.

"[Mantashe and his team] want to use us as voting fodder for the 2017 conference," Nogemane said at the time.

"Mantashe's 2017 political ambitions are hitting a snag. Now he wants to hijack Chris Hani and force us to support him whether we like it or not. We are not going to do that."

Mantashe denied using the meeting in this way, saying he had no such ambitions.

Nogemane yesterday confirmed receiving the letter. However, he remained defiant.

"[The Cala] meeting had nothing to do with organisational matters but [rather the] programmes of individuals. They are out to get me and suspend everyone who has a different view," he said.

Masimini confirmed receiving the letter but declined to comment.

Responding to reports that charging the two was tantamount to silencing critics, Mabuyane said the party had no plans to gag anyone. - Zine George