MOTHEO RALLIES BEHIND SIYONZANA

Current Motheo ANC deputy chairperson and Mangaung Metro deputy mayor Mxolisi Siyonzana is set to emerge as the regional chairperson of the ruling party when it hosts its elective conference on June 2.

Siyonzana, who is expected to take over from ANC provincial deputy chairperson and Mangaung Metro mayor Thabo Manyoni, is a staunch supporter of current provincial ANC chairperson and premier Ace Magashule.

The Weekly can reveal that an overwhelming majority of the 49 ANC branches in the strategic and hotly contested region have endorsed Siyonzana and Magashule to take over as regional and provincial chairpersons respectively.

A senior ANC leader in the region told The Weekly that despite attempts by Regime Change to delay the conclusion of branch general elections, Siyonzana’s victory is inevitable.

“The public must not be misled by Regime Change noises. This region is solidly behind Comrade Ace Magashule. Do not be misled by the rent-a-crowd Regime Change brigade and mobs who are not ANC members. Come conference time, the leadership collective led by Comrade Mxolisi will emerge and it will ensure victory for Comrade Ace at the provincial conference.”

Current regional secretary Paseka Nompondo is expected to retain his position. Papiki Moeeng will deputise Siyonzana while Baithei Kwagile is expected to deputise Nompondo. Lebogang Maswetsa is tipped for the position of regional treasurer.

“In the ANC Motheo region, we give support to Comrade Mxolisi Siyonzana and Paseka Nompondo to lead. Their discipline, political credibility, and skills have earned them these positions,” said ANC Women’s League Motheo chairperson Mapaseka Mothibi.

Regime Change has announced its preferred regional leadership for the Motheo region. It includes Sam Matiese as chairperson, Martha Selibedi as deputy chairperson, Lombosi Masoabi as secretary, Monica Seepamore as deputy secretary, while Mpho Ramakatsa is mooted for position treasurer.

Meanwhile, the Motheo Regional Conference that was scheduled to take place this week has been postponed to the first week of June to allow ANC national representatives to address concerns raised by branches.
The team is probing allegations of parallel branch general meetings, as well as several complaints about “illegitimate” BGMs.

The audit process got underway this week. National executive members of the ANC deployed to the province will “split into two groups to oversee the remaining conferences”.

“The national structure is still busy dealing with these complaints in the province. We do not know who complained to national from the province and we do not know what those problems are. What we know is that there was a concern raised in the Fezile Dabi region and the audit has started determining that the attendance register was legitimate. If not, the conference will be nullified,” said ANC provincial spokesperson William Bulwane.

Other regional conferences have been rescheduled as a result. Bulwane confirmed that the Lejweleputswa and Thabo Mofutsanyana regions will convene their conferences on May 25, followed by Motheo on June 2. The provincial elective conference will convene on June 9.