ANC postpones Eastern Cape conference amid contempt bid over court order

By Thapelo Molefe

ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula has placed the party’s Eastern Cape provincial elective conference “in abeyance until further notice” pending the conclusion of court processes.

This is according to ANC NEC deployee Mmamoloko Kubayi, who confirmed that the conference has been suspended as a legal battle intensifies over allegations that party leaders defied a court order interdicting the gathering.

Kubayi said the decision followed consultations with national leadership.

The move comes after the East London High Court granted an urgent interdict stopping the conference, which was due to take place this weekend. The ruling, delivered on Thursday, found that the party had failed to follow its own constitution and conference procedures.

“The Secretary-General has decided that he will put the conference in abeyance until matters before the courts are concluded,” she said.

The suspension comes as three ANC members — Lwazi Rotya, Sinethemba Mpande and Nompumelelo Mzothwa —