The ANC logo on the big screen at Nesrec. The national elective conference is set to being today Photo Nasreen Naidoo
The 55th national elective conference of the African National Congress is way behind schedule on day one, marred by registration delays and disgruntled members picketing outside the venue.
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s political report, which will kick off the event, was postponed until 2pm – nearly five hours behind schedule. It had not begun by time of publication. Outgoing spokesperson Pule Mabe instead took the stage to brief the media on coverage protocols.
He declined to comment on the Jacob Zuma Foundation’s announcement of criminal charges against Ramaphosa, saying The Presidency had already dealt with the matter.
Mabe also addressed the issue of five ANC parliamentarians who voted ‘yes’ to adopt the Phala Phala report on Tuesday. He said no disciplinary action was to be taken immediately, but that the incoming NEC will deal with the matter in coming weeks.
Already delayed by more than five hours, there is no sign of Ramaphosa’s political report getting underway just yet. Meanwhile, disgruntled MKMV veterans picket outside Nasrec, demanding to be allowed to send a delegation to the conference.
— Salaamedia (@salaamedia) December 16, 2022
SMread: Will the ANC really emerge united from Nasrec?
Picketing
Amid heavy police presence, disgruntled members of the ANC and its disbanded paramilitary wing gathered outside Nasrec under the sweltering heat on Friday, demanding an opportunity to participate in the elective conference.
Alongside the likes of Ace Magashule, recently-expelled ANC member Carl Niehaus said the actions of the NEC were “illegal”.
“We want to be recognised. The ANC NEC illegally tried to disband us. We also expect that they must give us our delegation to be able to go into the conference because they prevented that from happening,” he told Salaamedia outside the conference.
Lindiwe Sisulu received a memorandum on behalf of the NEC.
SMread: Carl Niehaus expelled from ANC after more than four decades
Criminal charges
Mabe responded tersely to questions from the media on whether the step-aside rule would apply to Ramaphosa following criminal charges laid by Zuma’s namesake foundation. He said Ramaphosa was and would deliver the political report as president of the ANC.
Zuma accused Ramaphosa of “being [an] accessory after the fact to crimes committed by among others Adv Downer” in alleged breaches of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Act.
ANC National Chairperson Gwede Mantashe says the official programme will kick off at 2pm. He cited registration delays as the reason for the postponement. #ANCNationalConference pic.twitter.com/Z1Sun6tTuH
— Salaamedia (@salaamedia) December 16, 2022
UPDATE: Six hours later and Ramaphosa’s much anticipated address to delegates is yet to begin. Delegates are believed to have been seated, but journalists are still barred from entering the plenary. #ANCNationalConference pic.twitter.com/uwx3WVt3ed
— Salaamedia (@salaamedia) December 16, 2022
