/ 23 March 2011

ANC members storm Western Cape offices

Disgruntled members of the African National Congress stormed the party’s provincial offices on Tuesday over selection of candidates in 16 wards.

ANC Western Cape provincial secretary Songezo Mjongile said the “ill-disciplined” members were demanding that their preferred candidates be appointed.

“The ANC condemns the action in the strongest terms,” he said.

“They are demanding that their candidates be appointed without due process being followed.”

The group broke a door and threatened the provincial leadership, but were then removed by the police after trying to stage a sit-in.

‘Sense of entitlement’
“The leadership tried to talk to these people, but they do not respect the processes of the organisation,” said Mjongile.

“They know if they have a grievance they must submit it in writing, but it’s this sense of entitlement that only their candidates must be appointed,” he said.

Mjongile said action would be taken against those who acted contrary to the party’s constitution.

The incident comes as the ANC registers its candidates ahead of the May 18 polls.

Earlier on Tuesday ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe described the dissatisfaction in the Western Cape as a “minor hiccup”.

In a statement, the ANC appealed to its members to abide by decisions taken to ensure that the party’s principles and policies were adhered to.

The ANC has been taken to court over its election lists in the Eastern Cape.

Frustration over lists was also one of the causes of a violent protest in Ermelo, Mpumalanga, last month.

Mantashe said the incidents reflected a “disappointment emanating from a democratic process”. – Sapa