The Free State High Court has granted an interim interdict suspending the resolutions, decisions and elections at the regional general council of the African National Congress (ANC) in the northern Free State, the South African Broadcasting Corporation reported on Saturday.
The interdict was granted against Ace Magashule, the Free State ANC chairperson; Charlotte Lobe, the provincial secretary; and three others.
It was sought by four ANC ward members who said the regional conference was not being held in accordance with the ANC constitution. These members have also made accusations of abuse of power and dereliction of duties against the five.
Resolutions or decisions taken at the conference in Oranjeville were suspended until February 16 and current office bearers would remain in their positions till then, the report said.
The five respondents have until Wednesday at noon to oppose the interdict.
Meanwhile, Lobe expressed surprise at hearing about it when asked about the matter while attending the funeral of ANC stalwart Adelaide Tambo in Wattville, outside Johannesburg, on Saturday. — Sapa