ANC EASTERN CAPE PEC MEDIA STATEMENT

The African National Congress (ANC) Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) held a two-day meeting on the 9th and 10th May 2010, to discuss a number of organisational matters requiring urgent attention and implementation. The meeting held at the  provincial headquarters, James Calata House, in King William's Town, focused on the state of the organisation in the province, cadre development and deployment - among other issues.

On the provincial government's preparations for 2010 FIFA World Cup:

The ANC has noted with appreciation the work by the provincial government in preparing for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, especially the identification of Public Viewing Areas, which are expanding access to rural communities. We are taking a dim view on the inability by base camps cities to attract practising teams. The legacy projects, infrastructure improvements and job opportunities flowing from the preparations, put Eastern Cape Province in a better stead economically as these would benefit our people.

On road accidents:

The PEC expressed its profound shock and heartfelt condolences to the victims of a bus accident that injured and killed passengers who were on their way to Cape Town a week ago. The PEC resolved that the Provincial Government, the Department of Roads and Transport and the Engcobo Municipality should ensure that they help with the funeral arrangements to mitigate the devastating effects to bereaved families.

Matters that concern the PEC:

The PEC reflected on a various range of political issues that continue to pose challenges for the organisation, evaluated some of the weaknesses and provided a deliberate plan to confront such problems.

Political education and cadre development:

The PEC noted the following developments:

• The absence of political education and cadre development has led to poor quality leadership with no experience to guide and implement organisational tasks.

• There is total disregard of organisational principles and traditions in pursuit of personal and factional interests.

• There is disengagement of communities and inability of our branches and membership to provide leadership to broader society.

• The use of organisation as a vehicle for accessing provincial and local government tenders and favours has been noticeable.

• The manipulation of organisational processes and procedures for factional interests.

• The absence of coherent programmes to advance the interest and programmes for the transformation.

• The branches are mobilised and get activated for the sole purpose of electing delegates to conferences and list processes in support of a particular faction, which inadvertently means that they are only active and vibrant during elections.

• The scramble for personal wealth and access to government resources is the cancer that fuels factional fights and those eliminated develop fear of being marginalised

• The PEC has developed a response plan to these challenges by establishing a provincial education and training unit whose core mandate is to develop a programme that is aimed at political education and consciousness starting from the branch level through to the leadership echelons.

On demarcation and delimitation of ward boundaries:

The PEC considered the report it received and appreciated the Ward base consultation process of that took place in Mbizana where there was consultation of the grass root structures of our people on whether they want to be re-demarcated to Alfred Nzo District Municipality to form a new municipality after the 2011 local government elections. The PEC decision ratified an earlier decision to support the inclusion of Ntabankulu and Mbizana Local Municipalities to the Alfred Nzo District Municipality.

Understanding the vexing challenges that accompany demarcation and ward delimitation processes, the PEC advised that special care should be taken to handle all legal implications and facilitation processes with minimal disruption to service delivery to our people. The MEC for Local Government and Traditional Affairs is therefore directed by the PEC to set processes in motion towards the dissolution of the Alfred Nzo and the OR Tambo District Municipalities in their current form and re-establish them according to the new demarcation in compliance with the relevant legislative prescripts.

The ANC has noted that the process was not well publicised for citizens to understand, and to be part of the process when it was initiated in 2006. The Traditional leaders including His Majesty the King of Eastern Pondoland, Thandizulu Sigcau raised some discomfort with the re-demarcation. The decision of the PEC follows visits to each Ward especially in Mbizana to ensure that decisions taken took on board popular opinion and were indeed for the benefit of our people.

This decision has been taken to ensure that the services and operational centres as well as government offices are closer to where the masses of our people are and the economic base of municipal governance is expanded. The PEC appeals to the communities, ANC branches, Alliance structures and the Civil Society Organisations that are affected by the decision to support the move as part of improving the effectiveness and efficiency of local government for our people.

On the allegations against Her Worship, Mrs Zoleka Capa:

The ANC reiterates its commitment and resolution to root-out corruption, fraud, incompetence, mismanagement and abuse of office.  Following media reports orchestrated by certain regional members, the ANC has established a task team led by the NEC member, Cde Derek Hanekom to conduct an investigation into the matter. The investigation team has since tabled its report. The PEC would like to place on record that "it is satisfied with the explanation given in response to the allegations mooted against the Executive Mayor".  We have found through this investigation that the purchasing of the seven farms, known as the Adam Kok farms, was approved by the mayoral committee. The farms were purchased at an auction and the amount tendered was ratified by the council at the first council sitting after the auction. It is the council that considered views through its own adopted Integrated Development Plan (IDP) where the need was identified to strengthen the asset base of the District Municipality.

On Municipalities:

The PEC finalised the deployments to municipalities in an attempt to strengthen the executive oversight and effective responses to service delivery. They are as follows:

OR Tambo District Municipality

Cde Mahlalela Myolwa is deployed to the EXCO, a position that was left vacant by Mr Pumelele Ndamase who is currently Secretary in the Eastern Cape Legislature. The PEC endorsed the appointment of Mr Basil Mase as the new Municipal Manager for Nyandeni Local Municipality.

Chris Hani District Municipality

Mr Peiring Mazamsi is being deployed to the Mayoral Committee of Inxuba Yethemba Local Municipality. Cde Simbongile Masawa is now the new Speaker for Inxuba Yethemba Local Municipality.

Amathole District Municipality

The following will be deployed to fill the vacancies created out of defections to another party by some former Mayoral Committee members: Cde T.L Ndleleni, Cde N. Ndikinda, Cde N. Nongqayi and Cde S. Mthintsilana.

On Legislature and Governance:

The PEC considered the reports tabled by the executive and legislative arms as well as reports on the general performance of the provincial administration and processes that are in motion to make necessary adjustments and changes which the organisation will confirm soon. Furthermore, the ANC wishes to state that the reconfiguration discussion paper developed by the Alliance structures will be formally discussed in the upcoming provincial Alliance Summit planned to take place in the first week of June 2010. The legislature and governance sub-committee of the PEC has been fully mandated to fine-tune the organisational approach on the matter as the ANC placed an importance on this subject. The ANC as the strategic centre and the ruling party will continue evaluating the performance of the deployees including its Executive Council in a bid to ensure improved service delivery for our people.

At the Provincial Legislature, Mr Mxolisi Dimaza is to head the newly created portfolio committee on Budget and Oversight whilst Mr Michael Masonwabe Peter will be deployed to the legislature whippery to affirm and strengthen it. Currently he serves on the Provincial Working Committee of the ANC.

The national mainstreaming process of the National Planning Commission, Monitoring and Evaluation has a direct bearing on the operations of the province. Therefore the province will have to design its approach and dovetail clear mechanisms to realise the approach.

ANC National General Council:

The National General Council is going to be held on the 20-24 September 2010 in Ethekwini, KwaZulu Natal. The focus will be on the mid-term review. This is the council that will concretely evaluate progress made on five key priorities on the manifesto including the additional priorities of local government and human settlements. The PEC resolves to direct all its regions to prepare for Regional General Councils (RGCs) and prepare the branches to conduct their branch general councils as part of organisational review.

The Regional General Councils will deal with:

• 2011 local government elections.

• Structures of the ANC will have to deal with complex issues of deployment and lobbying.

• Strategy and Tactics.

• Dealing with state of the organisation from branch, region and the province.

All RGCs are expected to be convened by the end May 2010.

Statement issued by Mlibo Qoboshiyana, ANC Eastern Cape provincial spokesperson, May 11 2010

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